15.871  Introduction to System Dynamics (H1) - Professor Mark Paich

Hi 15.871 students:

1. Sorry that Professor Repenning could not make the lecture on Tuesday due to a last-minute change in his schedule.

2. As announced in class, Quiz 4 will be tomorow (3/15) and has two questions.  In the first question, we will give you inflow and outflow over time and you need to draw the trajectory of corresponding stock on a graph.  In the second question, we give you some variables from which you need to form a stock and flow model with causal loops and auxiliary variables.  We will give you every variable you need (do NOT create any new variables!).  You will be given 15 minutes to complete the quiz.

Thanks,

Ben, Mark, and Ming

Hi 15.871 students:

Here are the annoucements for this final week of 15.871 course.

1. Tomorrow, Tuesday (3/13), we will have a special lecture by Professor Nelson Repenning from right here at MIT System Dynamics Group.  A winner of Jay Wright Forrest Award in 2003 (basically the highest honor bestowed in the field of System Dynamics and named after our founder), Nelson is a dynamic teacher and has taught 15.871/872 courses for many years.  His bio can be found here: web.mit.edu/nelsonr/www/

2. Assignment 5 is due Thursday (3/15) at 5 pm in the usual place (NOT due tomorrow) and Quiz 4 will also be on Thursday (3/15).  We will send out another announcement about the quiz over the next few days.

3. For those who are thinking about taking 15.872, the course will start on Tuesday, April 3.  The two sections (A and B) will meet in the same location and times as in 15.871.  Professor Paich, Ben, Mark, and Ming will be back for another System Dynamics adventure with you, if you choose join us (and please give us a chance to convince you take this course if you are not sure!).  Professor Paich will talk more about the follow-up sequence in our final lecture (3/15).  Feel free to talk to the TAs and your friends if you have any questions about 15.872.  There are plenty of spaces available in both sections (about 60 enrolled so far in total).  Listeners are also welcome.

Thanks,

Ben, Mark, and Ming

Hi 15.871 students:

About a half dozen of you asked us today about where and how to download "People Express (A)" HBR case for tomorrow's lecture (also for Assignment 5).

 

You need to go to the following link: cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/access/13174058 to get the $3.95 version.  If you just go to the regular HBR website and search for the case, it will take you to the link that charges you $6.95 for the article.  $3.95 is a special rate we negotiated with HBR just for people in this class, so please take advantage of this discount and get yourself an extra salad or drink. 

 

Also, if you don't have HBR account, you will need to make sure you register as a student (instead of faculty or something else).  Otherwise, the system doesn't let you download the article.  For more detailed information, please go to "Homework" --> "Assignment 5."

 

Thanks,

Ben, Mark, and Ming

Hi 15.871 students:

1. Quiz 3 will be held this Thursday (3/8) in the beginning of class (please show up for your respective section.).  You will be given 15 minutes to complete the quiz.  We will give you three separate questions that have a stock and variables, and you will need to connect them through flows and causal links.  You may want to browse through Chapter 8 of Sterman book to help yourself prepare for the quiz.  Remember - you CANNOT have a causal link directly into a stock.  Only flows can directly change stocks.   
2. Notes from today's On-Star brainstorm exercise is posted under "Materials" --> "Lecture Notes."
3. Please purchase ($3.95) and download "People Express (A)" HBR case to prepare for discussions on Thursday (3/8). 
4. You may pick up your graded Assignments 1, 2, and 3 and Quiz 1 from the homework return box outside E62-436 (right next to the box where you drop off your homeworks). We will also return graded Quiz 2 tomorrow in the box. A friendly reminder that there are four quizzes in 15.871, and we will drop the one with the lowest grade so don't get too upset if you messed up or missed one.
5. The final recitations of 15.871 will be held this Friday.  The dynamic duo of Ming Cheng and Mark Waltham will be at your service.

Thanks,

Ben, Mark, and Ming

Hi 15.871 students:

1. Assignment 5 is now posted under "Homework" section of the Stellar site.  It is due Thursday, March 15.  To do the assignment, you will need to read an article (see #2 below) and install People Express software (installation guide and unlock code are available under "Homework" --> "Assignment 5").

2. To prepare for Thursday's lecture (March 8) and for Assignment 5, you will need to go to Harvard Business Review website and purchase and read the "People Express (A)" case.  Please read this article before March 8.  The instructions are under "Homework" --> "Assignment 5."

Thanks and have a great weekend.

Ben, Mark, and Ming