1. Make a list of the elements that are interrelated or interdependent. Then write a paragraph stating why it is critical to monitor these elements closely.
2. Decide on the boundaries and ultimate scope of the system. That is, write a paragraph expressing an opinion on which elements are critical for Marathon Vitamin Shops and which elements can be explored at a later date.
3. Suggest which elements should be handled in-house and which should be outsourced to another company that may be better able to handle the job. Justify your suggestions in two paragraphs, one for the in-house jobs and one for the outsourced tasks.

“Our retail shops and mail-order division are quite healthy,” says Bill Berry, one of the owners of Marathon Vitamin Shops, “but to be competitive, we must establish an ecommerce Web site.” His father, a co-owner, exclaims, “I agree, but where do we start?” The elder Berry knew, of course, that it wasn’t a case of setting up a Web site and asking customers to email their orders to the retail store. He identified eight different parts to ecommerce and realized that they were all part of a larger system. In other words, all the parts had to work together to create a strong package.