CHAPTER 5 Cyclical Dynamics and the Process of Model Building
- An Overview of the Modelling Process
- Employment and Production Instability – Puzzling Performance Over Time
- Equation Formulations and Computations in Production Control
- Modelling Workforce Management and Factory Production Dynamics
- Equation Formulations in Workforce Management
- Chronic Cyclicality in Employment and Production and How to Cure It
- Modelling for Learning and Soft Systems
- Appendix 1: Model Communication and Policy Structure Diagrams
- Appendix 2: The Dynamics of Information Smoothing
Modelling is iterative. It begins with a concern about dynamics (performance over time) and preliminary ideas about feedback structure. Then gradually, in stages, a model takes shape that clarifies the concern and sharpens ideas about structure. The purpose is not to create a perfect model that replicates the real world situation in every detail. Rather it is to engage in a learning process using the model as an instrument for investigation, clarification and discovery.
An Overview of the Modelling Process
In system dynamics, five steps of modelling can be identified as shown in Figure 5.1. Usually there is lots of to-and-fro between the steps as understanding of the situation improves by sketching diagrams, quantifying concepts, writing friendly algebra and making simulations.
Figure 5.1 Modelling is an iterative ...
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