Characteristics of a System Chapter 2

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.