Course in Business Dynamics

At IIM-C we firmly believe that information is power. In the years to come the need for increased sharing of information will govern the changes in organizational structure. A basic understanding of information systems is thus mandatory. We endeavor to ensure that you drive the e-commerce revolution. These courses not only equip you with software tools but also impart an understanding of the hardware which will help you set design your own database. It's time you started your own dotcom at IIMC.

Introduction

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. Some of the areas in which the methodology has been applied successfully:
· Growth strategy
· Supply chain design
· Service quality management
· Process improvement
· Project management and product development
Course Coverage

This introductory course on Business Dynamics has been designed to impart skills of model based system enquiry to the students. In this course, the students will have an opportunity to
· Appreciate the role of Systems Thinking
· Represent business processes and embedded policy structure using Business Dynamics methodology
· Carry out what-if analysis on the models
· Recognize opportunities for intervention and performance improvement
Pedagogy

The course uses a balanced mix of lectures, role playing games and modeling workshop to develop principles for the successful management of complex strategies. A significant part of the course would entail students analyzing cases to bring out dynamics of competitive strategy.
Sample References

System Dynamics Methods: A Quick Introduction, Craig W. Kirkwood
Business Process Analysis Workshops: System Dynamics Models, Craig W. Kirwood
Case - Opportunity Consultants Inc.
Case - Boston Market
Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World, John D. Sterman, Irwin McGraw Hill Publishing, 2000 (copies available in library)
Evaluation

Assignments - 40%
Project on Model Based Case Analysis - 30%
Examination - 30%