Subject: System Objective

Posted by Steve Wilhite on 9/27/2006
In Reply To:System Objective Posted by Steve Wilhite on 9/27/2006

Message:

In reading my own post, I feel compelled to elaborate slightly on each of my points.

First, viewing the situation Dr. Forrester described as a positive feedback loop may seem counter-intuitive to some, since the actual output is the opposite of the intended output. Nevertheless, since an increase in the actual output (e.g., poor student success rates) directly brings about an increase in the input (e.g., more standardized testing, decreased school funding), a positive feedback loop is clearly in process.

From a psychological perspective, the situation could be said to result from a flawed mental model of the causal relationships inherent to the system. This speaks to Dr. Forrester's points about the disconnects between the overarching goal of a system and the "local goals" of the operating flows.

Steve Wilhite

Follow Ups:

System Objective - Steve Bosacker 10/4/2006 
System Objective - Jan Morrison 10/6/2006
System Objective - Bill Braun 10/6/2006