Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between reductionist thinking and systems thinking?

Accepted Answer

Reductionist thinking focuses on understanding the whole by analyzing its parts, while systems thinking focuses on understanding parts as components of a larger whole.

Question 2

According to the model of a basic system, which of the following is the correct sequence of elements?

Accepted Answer

Supplier $\rightarrow$ Inputs $\rightarrow$ Transformation Process $\rightarrow$ Outputs $\rightarrow$ Customer

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT one of the five major sources of process variation?

Accepted Answer

Suppliers

Question 4

A process whose internal components are unknown or unspecified is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

A black box

Question 5

Which of the following is a benefit of systems thinking in organizations?

Accepted Answer

It helps prevent the existence of functional silos and 'freedoms'.

Question 6

In the context of process management, what is the primary purpose of using flowcharts?

Accepted Answer

To visually represent the steps and decision points in a process, making it easier to identify redundancies and opportunities for improvement.

Question 7

Which of the following is a hallmark of modern process management?

Accepted Answer

Continuous improvement of quality

Question 8

A business is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A system of systems, where each subsystem contributes to the overall function.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a type of system described in the study materials?

Accepted Answer

Financial Systems

Question 10

In the 'iceberg' model of systems thinking, what do the deeper layers (patterns and systemic structures) represent?

Accepted Answer

Underlying causes and recurring trends that drive observable events.

Question 11

Which of the following is a key principle of process management?

Accepted Answer

Purposeful data collection

Question 12

What is the main difference between the traditional view and the process view of an organization?

Accepted Answer

The process view emphasizes interdependence and customer orientation, while the traditional view focuses on authority and control.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of a designed abstract system?

Accepted Answer

Mathematics

Question 14

According to the fundamentals of process management, what is the first step in managing a process?

Accepted Answer

Establish the objectives of the process.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the 'modern way' of process management?

Accepted Answer

Prevention: taking action to prevent non-conforming outputs before they occur.

Question 16

In a flowchart, which symbol is typically used to represent a decision point?

Accepted Answer

A diamond shape

Question 17

Which of the following is a question you should ask when using flowcharts to analyze a process?

Accepted Answer

Where do errors occur?

Question 18

Which of the following is a key reason for using flowcharts in process improvement activities?

Accepted Answer

To identify causes of variation in process output received by both internal and external customers.

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about subsystems in a system?

Accepted Answer

Subsystems have all the properties of the overall system.

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of purposeful data collection in process management?

Accepted Answer

Measuring the output of each unit and plotting the results over time to identify trends.

Process Management and Systems Thinking: Foundations for Business Process Analysis

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards