BTechibtechi.in
Loading Loading
Free IIT Madras BS notes, PYQs and mock tests at btechi.in

SPG · Systems thinking

BSGN3001 · 10 questions · 10 marks · 3 papers

Answer key

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

BS Degree Programme · Examination & Study Paper

BSGN3001 · Strategies for Professional Growth

Systems thinking

Official Paper

Examination Instructions & Guidelines

Solve on notebook/paper first before checking solutions.
MCQ: Exactly 1 option is correct. Negative marking applies.
Scientific calculator allowed for all calculations.
Official answer key is sealed at the end of this sheet.

End Term · 31 Aug 2025 (FN)End Term

Q1MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 4 times Key ↓
In a retail company to analyze its supply chain, the team monitors the following key variables: 1. Inventory of products in warehouse 2. Rate of sales per day 3. Number of shipments dispatched 4. Production rate from the factory Using a systems thinking lens, identify which of the above are stocks and which are flows. Select the correct option using the codes given below:
1. A1 and 3 are stocks; 2 and 4 are flows
2. B1 is stock; 2, 3, and 4 are flows
3. C1 and 4 are stocks; 2 and 3 are flows
4. DAll four are flows
Q2MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 4 times Key ↓
Consider the following: 1. Fluctuation in petrol prices 2. The stress you are currently experiencing during this exam 3. Number of startups pre-incubated at Nirmaan, IIT Madras at a given point In terms of systems thinking, which of the following correctly classifies them as stock or flow? Select the correct option using the codes given below:
1. A1 – Flow, 2 – Flow, 3 – Stock
2. B1 – Stock, 2 – Flow, 3 – Flow
3. C1 – Flow, 2 – Stock, 3 – Flow
4. D1 – Stock, 2 – Stock, 3 – Stock
Q3MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 3 times Key ↓
Consider the following: 1. A warehouse filled with boxes of unsorted, returned merchandise. 2. An integrated hospital management process involving patient admission, diagnosis, treatment, and discharge planning. 3. A digital archive of thousands of research papers stored on a personal drive. 4. A supply chain where procurement, logistics, and sales align to deliver products to customers. In terms of systems thinking, which of these are examples of a heap and which of a system? Select the correct option using the codes given below:
1. A1 and 3 are heaps; 2 and 4 are systems
2. B1 and 2 are heaps; 3 and 4 are systems
3. C1 and 4 are heaps; 2 and 3 are systems
4. DAll four are heaps

End Term · 31 Aug 2025 (AN)End Term

Q4MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 4 times Key ↓
In a consulting firm to improve client management, the team identifies key variables related to customer retention: 1. Number of active clients at a given time 2. New client acquisition rate 3. Client attrition (drop-off) rate 4. Total revenue accumulated till date Using a systems thinking perspective, classify which of the above are stocks and which are flows. Select the correct option using the codes given below:
1. A1 and 4 are stocks; 2 and 3 are flows
2. B1 and 2 are stocks; 3 and 4 are flows
3. C1, 2, and 3 are flows; only 4 is a stock
4. D1 and 3 are stocks; 2 and 4 are flows
Q5MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 4 times Key ↓
Consider the following: 1. Inflation in the economy 2. Stress that you are experiencing while giving this exam 3. Intellectual Property (IP) held by IIT Madras In terms of systems thinking, which of the following correctly classifies them as stock or flow? Select the correct option using the codes given below:
1. A1 – Flow, 2 – Flow, 3 – Stock
2. B1 – Stock, 2 – Flow, 3 – Flow
3. C1 – Flow, 2 – Stock, 3 – Flow
4. D1 – Stock, 2 – Stock, 3 – Stock
Q6MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 3 times Key ↓
Consider the following: 1. A warehouse filled with boxes of unsorted, returned merchandise. 2. An integrated hospital management process involving patient admission, diagnosis, treatment, and discharge planning. 3. A digital archive of thousands of research papers stored on a personal drive. 4. A supply chain where procurement, logistics, and sales align to deliver products to customers. In terms of systems thinking, which of these are examples of a heap and which of a system? Select the correct option using the codes given below:
1. A1 and 3 are heaps; 2 and 4 are systems
2. B1 and 2 are heaps; 3 and 4 are systems
3. C1 and 4 are heaps; 2 and 3 are systems
4. DAll four are heaps

End Term · 13 Apr 2025 (AN)End Term

Q7MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Key ↓
What does Systems Thinking emphasize?
1. AInterconnectedness of elements
2. BIndependent processes
3. CIndividual fault finding
4. DTask breakdown only
Q8MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 3 times Key ↓
What differentiates a heap from a system?
1. ASystems have purpose; heaps don’t
2. BSystems and heaps are equal
3. CHeaps are more organized
4. DHeaps are interconnected elements
Read the passage below, then answer Q9–Q10
[Principles & Archetypes] Systems thinking principles and archetypes reveal recurring patterns in complex systems, making their understanding essential for leaders and strategists to effectively navigate and solve dynamic challenges.
Read the given scenarios and identify which principle or archetype best applies to each situation. Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Q9MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Key ↓
In product design, Akriti asks her team to align every decision with customer needs and business strategy, not just fix bugs. Which principle is she using?
1. ACause-effect Loops
2. BBig Picture Thinking
3. CProcess Mapping
4. DNarrow Focus
Q10MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Key ↓
Teams in a company blame different issues for a drop in performance, while leaders see only one big cause. Which principle does this illustrate?
1. ASystem Boundaries
2. BElephant and the Blind Men
3. CCausal Loops
4. DBig Picture Thinking

Official Key

Master Answer Key & Explanations

Official answer keys from IIT Madras BS past papers. Click any question to review.

Reveal Key

Q1B

Q2A

Q3A

Q4A

Q5A

Q6A

Q7A

Q8A

Q9B

Q10B

Questions and answer keys are reproduced from the official IIT Madras BS papers. Topics and repeated question types are BTechi’s own grouping. BTechi is not affiliated with IIT Madras.