Analyzing an Analysis

Through the analysis assignments over the last couple of weeks, I found that I am more capable of conducting an analysis than I previously thought. The process of discussing the schedule of events for the annual meeting reinforced that I am a verbal processor. I talk out ideas and break them down into smaller parts to determine what works or does not work. For Task 1, I struggled to complete the assignment, because I did not have the verbal processing that I had with the group assignments about the annual meeting. I think in the end I did well overall. I used a macro-to-micro approach. I identified four factors of the library procurement system and then gathered research on each of those. I identified smaller parts that made up the bigger parts. I was able to break down the factors within the narrative of the paper, and I found something interesting. A conclusion I drew, one I had not been aware of prior to working on Task 1, is that librarians are leaving the field. They are leaving the field because of the combined impact each of the factors has on the procurement process. We had previously watched a speech by Peter Senge. In his speech, he mentions the interconnectedness of systems (Senge, 2014). That they form this overlapping, interwoven, web. Systems may be simple, and even by appearances not connected to each other, but they are all interwoven. The four factors I identified in Task 1, all can operate as an independent system; however, they all end up impacting each other. The end result of those four factors, and their distinctive problems, is that librarians are suffering, they are scared, and they are leaving the field. At the end of Task 1, while I am confident I did well on my first systems analysis, I know I will have room to grow as an analyst. I have historically thought too broad and needed to focus my attention on smaller parts, more micro over macro.

Senge, P. (2014, December 15). Peter Senge: "Systems thinking for a better world"-Aalto Systems Forum 2014. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QtQqZ6Q5-o