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Linking event thinking with structural thinking: methods to improve client value in projects
Author(s) -
Howick Susan,
Ackermann Fran,
Andersen David
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
system dynamics review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.491
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1099-1727
pISSN - 0883-7066
DOI - 10.1002/sdr.332
Subject(s) - computer science , system dynamics , systems thinking , process (computing) , event (particle physics) , promotion (chess) , key (lock) , linkage (software) , management science , process management , artificial intelligence , engineering , computer security , biochemistry , chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , politics , political science , law , gene , operating system
Abstract Using a participant–observer research design, a team of modelers designed and implemented modeling guidelines to link semantically rich scenario maps to a formal causal influence diagram of a running simulation model. This process serves to link event thinking to structural thinking. These guidelines were used in a case, which involved: (1) developing a cause model of scenarios of the promotion of renewable energy sources in the U.K. electric power market from material elicited from a client group; (2) creating a system dynamics model of the same area; and (3) an integration of products 1 and 2 which enabled an analysis of the scenarios using the simulation model. The first two products used standard approaches and are not new; however, the third represents the key output of the research. By linking products 1 and 2, the research aimed to create better client value in the project by combining, in a systematic way, the relevant elements of scenario maps and system dynamics models. The process allows client groups to visualize and comprehend the linkage between event thinking and structural thinking in a complex system. This work informs ongoing research in group model building, strategy modeling (especially using scenarios) and the ongoing debate about qualitative versus quantitative system dynamics. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.