Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An Introduction to System Dynamics

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
System Dynamics Modeling with R

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Social Networks ((LNSN))

Abstract

This chapter presents important concepts underlying the system dynamics modeling method. Following an initial definition of the term model, a summary of a successful system dynamics intervention is described. The key elements of system dynamics—stocks and flows—are explained. The process for simulating stock and flow models—integral calculus—is described, with an example of a company’s customer base used to illustrate how stocks change, through their flows, over time. A summary of dimensional analysis for stock and flow equations is provided before the second feature of system dynamics modeling—feedback—is presented. The chapter concludes by summarizing the system dynamics methodology, which is a five-stage iterative process that guides model design, development, test and policy design.

Everything we do as individuals, as an industry, or as a society is done in the context of an information-feedback system.

Jay W. Forrester, Industrial Dynamics (1961), p. 15.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Box GE (1976) Science and statistics. J Am Stat Assoc 71(356):791–799

    Google Scholar 

  • Brandt G, Merico A (2015) The slow demise of Easter Island: insights from a modeling investigation. Front Ecol Evol 3:13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Breman JG, Arita I (1980) The confirmation and maintenance of smallpox eradication. N Engl J Med 303(22):1263–1273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coyle RG (1996) System dynamics modelling: a practical approach. CRC Press, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Dangerfield B (2014) Systems thinking and system dynamics: a primer. In: Discrete-event simulation and system dynamics for management decision making. Wiley, New York City, pp 26–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Forrester JW (1961) Industrial dynamics. MIT Press, Cambridge (Reprinted by Pegasus Communications: Waltham, MA)

    Google Scholar 

  • Forrester JW (1968) Principles of systems. Pegasus Communications, Waltham

    Google Scholar 

  • Forrester JW (1969) Urban dynamics. Pegasus Communications, Waltham

    Google Scholar 

  • Forrester JW (1985) The “model versus a modeling” process. Syst Dyn Rev 1(1):133–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghaffarzadegan N, Lyneis J, Richardson GP (2011) How small system dynamics models can help the public policy process. Syst Dyn Rev 27(1):22–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Giesecke J (1994) Modern infectious disease epidemiology. Edward Arnold (Publisher) Ltd., London

    Google Scholar 

  • Homer JB (1993) A system dynamics model of national cocaine prevalence. Syst Dyn Rev 9(1):49–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Homer J (2012) Models that matter: selected writings on system dynamics, 1985–2010. Grapeseed Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Lane DC (2006) IFORS’ operational research hall of Fame Jay Wright Forrester. Int Trans Oper Res 13(5):483–492

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Lyneis JM, Ford DN (2007) System dynamics applied to project management: a survey, assessment, and directions for future research. Syst Dyn Rev 23(2–3):157–189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meadows DH (2008) Thinking in systems: a primer. Chelsea Green Publishing, White River Junction, Vermont

    Google Scholar 

  • Meadows DL, Behrens WW, Meadows DH, Naill RF, Randers J, Zahn E (1974) Dynamics of growth in a finite world. Wright-Allen Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Morecroft J (2007) Strategic modelling and business dynamics: a feedback systems approach. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Pidd M (1996) Tools for thinking: modelling in management sciences. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson GP (2011) Reflections on the foundations of system dynamics. Syst Dyn Rev 27(3):219–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sterman JD (2000) Business dynamics: systems thinking and modeling for a complex world. Irwin/McGraw-Hill, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Sterman JD (2002) All models are wrong: reflections on becoming a systems scientist. Syst Dyn Rev 18(4):501–531

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson KM, Tebbens RJD (2008) Using system dynamics to develop policies that matter: global management of poliomyelitis and beyond. Syst Dyn Rev 24(4):433–449

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vennix JA (1996) Group model building: facilitating team learning using system dynamics, vol 2001. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland

    Jim Duggan

Authors
  1. Jim Duggan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jim Duggan .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Duggan, J. (2016). An Introduction to System Dynamics. In: System Dynamics Modeling with R. Lecture Notes in Social Networks. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-34043-2_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-34043-2_1

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-34041-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-34043-2

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation