15.879  Research Seminar in System Dynamics

Week 12: The Future of the Field

Hi all,

For our final class we are going to think about the future of the field of System Dynamics. I have posted 3 quite interesting readings on Stellar, by a cast of characters we have met previously.

A small piece of homework: after you have finished the readings, please develop a CLD of your theory about the dynamics governing the growth of the field, and the managerial policies to might propose to accelerate that growth. We will compare and contrast your theories in class.

Cheers,
David.

Announced on 03 May 2015  9:03  a.m. by David R. Keith

Week 11: Group Model Building

Hi all,

For class tomorrow we will be joined online by Prof. George Richardson from SUNY Albany at 9am. This is a great opportunity to learn from one of the pioneers of Group Model Building techniques.

Please think carefully tonight about how you may use these techniques in your own research projects. Who are the stakeholders? What opportunities and challenges do you see?

I look forward to hearing your ideas and questions in what I hope will be a stimulating discussion.

Cheers,
David.

Announced on 30 April 2015  5:13  p.m. by David R. Keith

Week 11: Group Model Building

Hi all,

This week we are studying Group Model Building, the process by which a stakeholder group is engaged in the process of model development.

I have assigned 3 papers, available on Stellar, which are easy reading. There may be one further reading for class on Friday in preparation for an in-class exercise - I'll let you know ASAP if that happens.

I hope you are all on track with your term papers. Email me if you have questions or if you would like to come and see me to discuss any topic: paper layout, framing, description of the model, presentation of results etc. As is standard for our field, your model should be fully documented and dimensionally consistent. To confirm: the due date for your paper is 5pm on Friday May 15th.

Have a good week!

Cheers,
David.

Announced on 27 April 2015  8:58  a.m. by David R. Keith

Week 10: Limits to Growth

Hi all,

For class next week, we will study 'The Limits to Growth', one of the most important System Dynamics publications ever. I have uploaded on Stellar both the original publication, and a version of the WORLD3 model, very similar to that described in the original book with just a few updates. I would like you to:

a) Read the book. It is 200 pages but you can get through it quickly.

b) Test and critique the model. Run the scenarios provided, and understand how the behavior observed is an endogenous consequence of the model structure. Carefully consider the strengths and limitations of the model, applying the range of testing strategies described in Business Dynamics Ch.21.

c) Choose two sectors of the model and understand them in detail such that you will be able to explain them to the class on Friday.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Cheers,
David.

Announced on 18 April 2015  9:43  p.m. by David R. Keith

Week 9: Technology Diffusion

Hi all,

This week we are going to study models of technology diffusion, starting with the seminal Bass model and its extensions.

Please read the 3 papers I have posted on Stellar before our class on Friday.

Cheers,
David.

Announced on 13 April 2015  3:30  p.m. by David R. Keith