Subject: Causal Loops with 'AND'

Posted by Bill Braun on 11/27/2009
In Reply To:Causal Loops with 'AND' Posted by leusa on 11/26/2009

Message:

I hope this is a distinction with a difference. My preference for "+"
and "-" is based on difficulty of showing accumulation with CLDs. While "S" is clearer (in my opinion) to communicate that the "effect" is moving in the same direction as the "cause", I have always found it difficult for "S" to convey that the "cause" is adding to the "effect", increasing it's level beyond what it might have otherwise been. I have found over time that understanding that "+" means either "moving in the same direction" or "adding to" takes no more time or difficulty that understanding that "S" means "moving in the same direction."

I've done a lot of work in root cause analysis in an organizational setting, and have had good success using "+" with the definition above.

Bill Braun

Follow Ups:

Causal Loops with 'AND' - Karl North 11/27/2009 
Causal Loops with 'AND' - Gene Bellinger 11/27/2009 
Causal Loops with 'AND' - Sharon Villines 11/27/2009