Subject: Connections between models and reality

Posted by John Sterman on 3/8/2004
In Reply To:Connections between models and reality Posted by Niall Palfreyman on 3/8/2004

Message:

I've followed the thread on stocks and flows with interest. Niall has asked about the 'bathtub model' and many have asked for more example and explanations.

There are extensive examples and explanations relating specifically to the identification and behavior of stocks and flows in chapters 6 and 7 of Business Dynamics (Sterman, J. D. (2000). Business Dynamics:
Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World, Irwin/McGraw-Hill.
ISBN 0-07-238915-X.) The book includes some challenges enabling readers to develop their skills with stocks and flows.

The following paper may also be of interest as it examines how well people are able to relate stocks and flows in the context of the simplest dynamic system -- a bathtub.

Booth Sweeney, L. and J. D. Sterman (2000). "Bathtub Dynamics:
Initial Results of a Systems Thinking Inventory." System Dynamics Review 16(4): 249-294.

John Sterman

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John Sterman
Jay W. Forrester Professor of Management Director, MIT System Dynamics Group MIT Sloan School of Management
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