BD-P09

BD-P09
PGDM 2009-11: Term-V

Business Dynamics
Prof. Rahul Thakurta

A. Objective

Business Dynamics (BD) is concerned with understanding of forces that shape business performance. Methodological elements of BD enable visualisation of an organization in terms of the structures and policies that create dynamics and regulate performance. The model derived from this is used to perform what-if analysis with policy alternatives. In recent times Business Dynamics has become an important weapon in the arsenal of practitioners who have a need to analyze business policy and strategy. The methodology has been applied successfully to address problems pertaining to all the functional areas. Some recent application of the concept has been noticed in:

· Growth strategy
· Supply chain design
· Service quality management
· Process improvement
· Project management and product development

Overall, the course is expected to enable the student to develop capability in generating insights via modeling in a wide range of realistic situations.

B. Instructor

Rahul Thakurta, Extn. 826, rahul@ximb.ac.in

C. Pedagogy

The course would use a balanced mix of class room lectures, role playing games and management flight simulators to develop principles for the successful management of complex strategies. A part of the course would involve building and analyzing simulation models with the help of Vensim simulation software.

Ų Group Activities

Group Activities would involve working in projects for hands-on exposure to building system dynamics models. Project related guidelines would be provided during the course. The students are expected to form their own groups, and the size of the group to be decided based on the number of course registration.

D. Tentative Session Plan

Session	Description
1	Course Introduction and Overview
2	Problem Definition and Model Purpose
3	Building Theory with Causal Loop Diagram (CLD)
4	Developing Stock and Flow (S&F) Structure of Systems
5	Lab Session: Getting a Feel of Vensim Simulation Software
6+	Project Input: Discussion on Project Proposals and Development of CLDs
7	Model Constructs for Delays
8	The Dynamics of Growth
9	Coflows and Aging Chains Quiz (40 minutes)
10, 11	Project Input: Discussion and Feedback on Causal Loop Diagrams
12	Modeling Decision Making
13, 14	Project Input: Discussion and Feedback on Stock and Flow Diagrams
15	Nonlinear Relationships Formulation
16	Game: Experience with Management Flight Simulator
17+	Project Input: Clarifying Confusions/Queries/Errors related to Stock and Flow Development
18	System Dynamics and Strategy
19, 20	Project Final Presentations and Wrap-up

E. Evaluation Method

· Class Participation – 10%
· Group Projects – 40%
· Quiz (1) – 10%
· End-term Examination – 40%

F. Text & Software

· System Dynamics Methods: A Quick Introduction, Craig W. Kirkwood
Vensim Personal Learning Edition (PLE, free for academic use can be downloaded from www.vensim.com
Created By: Debasis Mohanty on 08/30/2010 at 08:40 AM
Category: PGDM-II Doctype: Document

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