REPLY Discrete event software (SD6721)

[SDMAIL Khalid Saeed]

Posted by  Khalid Saeed <saeed at wpi.edu>

George,

A beautiful explanation! I wish to add that policy or decision rules 
in system dynamics are based not on discrete decisions, but on patterns 
of decisions. These patterns may vary according to the time frame over 
which a decision pattern is observed.

There are also mechanical problems with subsuming a discrete structure 
in a continuous model that might result in dynamics created by the 
stiffness of the model rather than the behavior of the system it 
represents.

I view combining discrete and continuous structures in system dynamics 
models with reservation even though software might allow this.

Best,

Khalid
Khalid Saeed, PhD
Professor of Economics and System Dynamics
Social Science and Policy Studies Department
WPI, Worcester, MA 01609 
Posted by  Khalid Saeed <saeed at wpi.edu>
posting date  Tue, 8 Jan 2008 13:13:13 -0500