Characteristics of a System Chapter 2

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Questions and Answers

What is a necessary condition for a system to fulfill its purpose effectively?

The components of the system are tangible

The parts of the system are organized in a precise manner

The system has feedback mechanisms

The parts of the system are available (correct)

What is an example of an intangible component of a system?

A physical object

A company policy (correct)

A vehicle

A causal loop diagram

What is the purpose of a system's stability?

To provide feedback to the system

To accomplish its purpose

To make adjustments through fluctuations (correct)

To organize its parts

What is a characteristic of a system's parts?

They can be either tangible or intangible Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a causal loop diagram?

It is comprised of 2 or more variables connected by links Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a system's feedback?

To provide information to the system Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a system?

A human body Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a system?

It consists of a group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent components Signup and view all the answers

What type of relationships can be observed between variables in a Causal Loop Diagram?

Both same and opposite direction changes Signup and view all the answers

What is a Reinforcing Loop labeled with in a Causal Loop Diagram?

R Signup and view all the answers

How can you identify a Reinforcing Loop in a Causal Loop Diagram?

By counting the number of even or zero signs Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of drawing a Causal Loop Diagram?

To depict either a reinforcing process or balancing process Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of combining Reinforcing and Balancing Feedback Loops?

Complex systems Signup and view all the answers

What is a Causal Loop?

A closed circuit of interconnection between variables Signup and view all the answers

What is a Reinforcing Causal Loop?

A causal loop with an even number or zero negative signs Signup and view all the answers

What are Reinforcing and Balancing Feedback Loops considered to be?

The building blocks of dynamic system structures Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Systems Thinking

A system consists of a group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent components that form a complex and unified whole.
The components of a system can be tangible (physical objects) or intangible (relationships, policies, information flows, interactions, human mind, values, beliefs, and feelings).

Characteristics of a System

A system's parts must be available for the system to fulfill its purpose effectively.
A system's parts must be organized in a precise manner for the system to accomplish its purpose.
Systems definitely have a purpose within larger systems.
Systems provide for their stability through fluctuations and adjustments.
Systems ought to have feedback.

Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs)

A CLD is comprised of two or more variables that are connected by links, which generally take the form of an arrow.
A CLD depicts cause-and-effect relationships between variables.
One or more feedback loops (reinforcing or balancing processes) are present in a CLD.
Delays can be observed in a CLD.

Reinforcing Loops

Reinforcing loops can be viewed as the engines of growth and collapse.
A visual way to identify a reinforcing loop (R) is to count the number of positive/negative (-) in a causal loop diagram (CLD).
A causal loop is a reinforcing causal loop if the relationship is an even number or zero (e.g., RE0).

Balancing Loops

A causal loop is a balancing causal loop if the relationship is an odd number or one (e.g., BO1).
Balancing loops counteract or stabilize the effects of a reinforcing loop.

How to Draw a Causal Loop Diagram

Formulate the core problem.
Tell the story of the problem behavior.
Select the key variables you want to work with.

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Description

A system consists of a group of interacting, interrelated or interdependent components that form a complex and unified whole. The components of a system can be tangible (physical objects) or intangible (relationships, policies,\ information flows,\ interactions,\ human mind,\ values,\ beliefs,\ and feelings). A system's parts must be available for the system to fulfill its purpose effectively. A system's parts must be organized in a precise manner.