REPLY Models, Problems and Systems (SD7025)

[SDMAIL Jay Forrest]

Posted by  "Jay Forrest" <systems at jayforrest.com>

Hi Jack!

That was beautifully written and well said! Bravo!

I have no qualms with the modeling of systems. My experiences working with
clients with Barry Richmond led me to deeply appreciate the insights
available from simple, pertinent, problem oriented models. Two issues
regarding problem oriented models seem pertinent and I would welcome your
perspectives.

The first issue relates to boundaries and perception. When we set the
boundaries of a model we effectively define the universe. The implication
that nothing else is pertinent and tends to restrict subsequent broader
exploration and consideration. As a result the setting of the boundaries
seems critical (and it is my impression that most of the SD community would
agree). The broader, omitted interconnectivity of problem-oriented models
opens them to failure over time due to both unrecognized influences and
unintended consequences. It seems critical to me to discuss the system
within which the problem oriented model resides such that the clients will
appreciate the limits to the validity of the problem oriented model and
possible implications. Discussions with clients who have used SD suggest to
me that a significant portion of their failure to pursue SD over time is
that they tend to find SD answers don't work over time - which is ultimately
IMO a failure of them to appreciate the limits of the model. And please
note...this is not a plea for modeling the system but rather recognizing the
system - a case IMO where causal loop diagramming or even clever extraneous
variables shown but not included in the model might be helpful. It seems
critical that the client be given (or develop in the client) an appropriate
appreciation of the limits of the model.

The second issue relates to boundaries, but in a different way. If we let
the client define the problem we can easily become focused on a reductive
facet of a closely integrated system. If you go into a transmission shop and
ask them to replace your transmission and the car has a cracked block,
should they replace the transmission and ignore the block and let it fail
later. I have to suspect that some SD work has lost credibility specifically
due to similar fate. It seems to me that, as a professional, the
modeler/facilitator has an ethical responsibility to strive to recognize the
key dynamics of the system and to guide the client to a broader perspective
of the system under study when appropriate.

I would welcome your comments!

Thanks in advance!
Jay Forrest 
Posted by  "Jay Forrest" <systems at jayforrest.com>
posting date  Sat, 10 May 2008 08:58:02 -0500