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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Apply the basic principles of complexity theory to organisational transformation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116960  Apply the basic principles of complexity theory to organisational transformation 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Generic Management 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies Generic Management 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular-Fundamental  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  12 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
A person credited with this Unit Standard is able to demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of complexity theory and to apply these to the concept of Organisational Transformation in the South African context, by using all of these to analyse an organisation of over 150 people operating in South Africa.

In particular, on completion of this Unit Standard, the learner is able to:
  • Recognise organisations as complex adaptive systems
  • Realise that transformation is only possible if the way in which systems function is clearly understood
  • Understand the importance of networks in achieving transformation
  • Appreciate the power of diversity within an organisation
  • Apply basic principles of complexity theory
  • Relate the learning gained in achieving this Unit Standard to Organisational Transformation and Change Management (OT&CM) 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners should be competent in:
  • Computer Literacy at NQF Level 3
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4
  • Communication at NQF Level 4 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    It is important for purposes of comparison across the various specific outcomes that a single, reasonably large (>150 persons) organisation be used consistently throughout this Unit Standard. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Analyse an organisation with which you are acquainted as a complex adaptive system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A document is produced that establishes and outlines the main features of a complex adaptive system. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Only major aspects are given with a short description of each. Subsidiary features are not required.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An organization is carefully analysed to produce examples of each major feature of a complex adaptive system that illustrates the reality of these aspects in a functioning environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A discussion with an organisational peer group is held regarding the company as a complex adaptive system, and the results of the interaction are outlined in a presentation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Illustrate the aspects of an organisation operating as a machine as opposed to an ecological system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An outline is provided of those aspects of an organisation of the learner's acquaintance, that reflect the operation of a machine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An outline is provided of those aspects of the same organisation that reflect the way in which an ecological system operates. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An analysis is presented to a peer group highlighting which of the paradigms predominates in the organisation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Analyse the importance of the formal and informal networks in an organisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The formal networks that operate within organization are identified and documented in a presentation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Three informal networks in the organization are identified, with a clear outline being provided of the way in which each was established as well as their modus operandi. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An analysis is provided of the range of influence of each network in a written report. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A written essay presenting the results of a small group discussion, deciding which network system (formal or informal) is more creative, is presented. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Show the importance of emergent properties in an organisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A detailed analysis is provided of each of three emergent properties of an organisation of the learner's acquaintance. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Nature, pervasiveness and time to develop for each emergent property.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of each emergent property to the continued operation of the organization is explained in detail with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The way in which the overall functioning of the organisation has been affected by each property is outlined in a presentation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate the importance of diversity in nurturing creativity in an organisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The relationship between diversity and creativity in a complex adaptive system is clearly established and outlined in a policy document for consideration by the organisation at the level of its human resource practitioners. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An illustration of where this has occurred or been prevented from happening within the organisation is investigated and presented in a written report to a small peer group for evaluation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Show how the Butterfly Effect can create large-scale effects within organisations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An explanation of the Butterfly Effect is given citing three examples from the literature in a detailed presentation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An illustration of the Butterfly Effect in a company with which the learner is acquainted is investigated, documented and presented as a case study for consideration to a group of human resource practitioners. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Accreditation for this Unit Standard shall be obtained from the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance Body, through summative and formative assessment by a registered assessor
  • Assessors must be registered as an Assessor with the relevant ETQA, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderators must be registered as assessors with the relevant ETQA, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Training providers must be accredited by the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.

    Moderation should include both internal and external moderation where applicable. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The knowledge underpinning the above specific outcomes is:
  • Introductory complexity theory.
  • Introductory systems theory.
  • The concepts of businesses as going concerns and the profit motive.
  • The fundamentals of OT&CM.
  • A basic knowledge of South African history, sociology and the diversity of its society. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem identification and solution in creative ways will be developed as the learner determines the impact of diversity on an organization. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working in teams to determine critical features of an organization as a complex system. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing self within the context of organisational transformation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Critically collecting, evaluating and analysing information relevant to a determination of the way in which a particular organization demonstrates the attributes of a complex system. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication is established as an area of development in its own right. Also, aspects of personal development feature throughout the achievement of this Unit Standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Interpreting the nature of complex systems enables the learner to understand the world as a set of related systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49075   National Certificate: Organisational Transformation and Change Management  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Core  49076   National Diploma: Organisational Transformation and Change Management  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.