Model conceptualisation is the most difficult system dynamics skill to acquire, practice and teach. The advent of user friendly simulation tools; STELLA and ithink, have made the task of model constructions and use much easier. Model conceptualizations by contrast remains as difficult server as ever. Experiences in training managers in system dynamics show that it is a relatively simple task to turn complete beginners into competent and confident simulators. The capability to recreate a model from ithink map and in a written description of operating policies is quickly acquired, as is the ability of modifying that model set to test out possible solution to problematic behavior. The problem arises when these proficient simulators are asked to conceptualize a simple two loop model from a problem descriptions, presented in the form of a newspaper article. This task is found very difficult by most course members. The paper describes the development of a new technique to assist with the model conceptualisation process. The method integrates archetypes and their corresponding generic Models into a framework that helps modellers move from a problem descriptions to a first past ithink model and/or casual map. An application of the method, to aid conceptualisation of a model of Government funding of housing association is described.

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Date created

• 1994

Type

• Document

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• Processing documentation available at: https://wiki.albany.edu/display/SCA/Processing+Ingested+Digital+Files

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• Creative Commons BY-NC-ND Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International

  
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fe35db792b573af835d96e6eba4759cd

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c060552994c1527f70693734935660f1

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23d738ba88f8333bc39725f9cb5bd0b8

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Collection

System Dynamic Society Records

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Collecting area

• This collection is part of the University Archives