REPLY Future Development Directions (SD6265)

[System Dynamics Mailing List]

Posted by  "Christina Spencer" <Christina at strategydynamics.com>

Responding to the current thread initiated by Richard Stevenson...

As a accountant by training I understand the Accounting frameworks
developed over the years to be a set of guidelines that are intended to
assist presenting business activities in a "true and fair" light and
where possible to enable comparability between businesses. Now that is
undoubtedly a higher aim which is not always realistic or achievable BUT
to say "... And Enron, Worldcom, etc. prove what happens when
accountants are left to run corporations...." is really to miss the
point. Anything can be abused - objects as lowly as a screwdriver in the
wrong hands can do untold damage. It is not the framework that is wrong
in these cases it is the hands / motivations of the people using it. But
without the frameworks the Accounting profession would either be
nonexistent or in a state of disarray. 

Richard also says "Having been in a boardroom or three, I know that good
managers fundamentally want better strategic decision-making tools."
Yes,  and with a sound framework, where results can be reproduced
(thanks Monte), structures are clear and unambiguous these people will
use SD if presented to them appropriately. So the challenge of those in
the SD community is, alongside the other skills they bring to such
situations, to bring clarity to business issues. Additionally they need
to develop frameworks usable by the managers of tomorrow and enable
education in the use of them. Then there is a chance that standards can
be established, better recognition in the business community developed
..and so on.

Christina Spencer
Posted by  "Christina Spencer" <Christina at strategydynamics.com>
posting date  Thu, 15 Feb 2007 09:45:22 -0000