The Basic Principles of Systems Thinking and System Dynamics

This tutorial paper presents the basics of System Dynamics (SD) modelling, together with an introductory section on Systems Thinking, specifically influence (or causal loop) diagrams. The coverage of SD starts with how a stock-flow diagram is used to commence the conceptualisation process by the creation of a spinal flow(s). Auxiliary variables (contained in the information system) and model parameters are then deployed in equations which explain the various flow rates depicted in the spinal flows. By this means a full working model emerges with a web of information overlaid onto the spinal flows. The paper concludes with a fully worked (but simple) example in the domain of workforce modelling