Introduction to System Dynamics

A lecture series on the application of Systems Thinking and System Dynamics in the world of business. Presented by Don Woodlock, Senior Vice President from GE Healthcare and MIT trained in System Dynamics. Powerpoint can be found at https://files.me.com/ws2009/wqo7fq

Category:

Education

Tags:

• System
• Dynamics
• Systems
• Thinking

[humairkhansindhi]

Not Helpful......... Please Describe with more sophisticated Examples.. specially hierarchy of behavior...

[dwoodlock]

@humairkhansindhi . Thanks for the feedback.  I would like to improve this video in a number of ways but I'm concerned that if I re-record I'll loose the viewer count which I'm essentially proud of. Is there some way to update the video??

[dwoodlock]

@satumma. Thanks for your feedback. I noticed the banging on the table and I keep meaning to re-record but haven't gotten around to it. I'm on the business side of things but public policy is a huge topic for SD and a lot has been done on Healthcare as well. Healthcare is a very dysfunction environment with lots of complexity and perverse incentives so SD is an ideal tool to explore and find solutions.

[dwoodlock]

@commandersprocket. I would tend to agree that System Dynamics has yet to be adopted widely in business. I think perhaps the closely widely adopted concept is the Balanced Scorecard which ignores ‘dynamics’ but tries to take a more well-rounded perspective on what really drives business success along employee, customer, process, and financial dimensions. I certainly agree that there are companies that focus exclusively on financials to the detriment of their employees and customers. 

[dwoodlock]

@danzinde. Thanks. I posted the powerpoint at files.me.com/ws2009/wqo7fq so you can grab it from there. Let me know if you have any troubles getting it.

[satumma]

first, it might be a good idea not to hit the table, thus shaking the camera. Second, I was hoping to see more application to public policy. SD seems like a powerful tool but its seem ironic that it might be used to affect only one variable in a larger system. What might be good for increasing productivity, revenue and profit for GE Healthcare might be the variable in a larger healthcare system that drives towards greater dysfunction...

[commandersprocket]

These ideas seem like they have been around for quite some time (the 5th discipline was written in 1994, there are system books that have been around since at least the 1960s). But, I don't see any effect on companies behavior with this information. Near universally companies are looking towards employees as disposable, employee tenure has been shrinking for at least the last 3 decades. If this information is not being applied, why not? if it is being applied what systems are primary?

[danzinde]

nice presentation! though i think the background presentation slides are not legible or clearly visible. would be great if you could post the link to see/download your presentation slides

[danzinde]

nice presentation! though i think the background presentation slides are not legible or clearly visible. would be great if you could post the link to see/downlad your presentation slides

[RalfLippold]

systemdynamics(dot)org(slash)w­iki with some further information on the field