About System Dynamics
System dynamics is a methodology for
studying and managing complex feedback systems, such as one finds in business
and other social systems. In fact it has been used to address practically every
sort of feedback system. While the word system has been applied to all sorts of
situations, feedback is the differentiating descriptor here. Feedback refers to
the situation of X affecting Y and Y in turn affecting X perhaps through a chain
of causes and effects. One cannot study the link between X and Y and,
independently, the link between Y and X and predict how the system will behave.
Only the study of the whole system as a feedback system will lead to correct
results.The field developed initially
from the work of
Jay W.
Forrester. His seminal book Industrial Dynamics (Forrester 1961) is
still a significant statement of philosophy and methodology in the field. Since
its publication, the span of applications has grown extensively and now
encompasses work in:
- corporate planning and policy design
- public management and policy
- biological and medical modeling
- energy and the environment
- theory development in the natural and
social sciences
- dynamic decision making
- complex nonlinear dynamics
System Dynamics Society
The
System Dynamics Society is an
international, non-profit organization devoted to encouraging the development
and use of systems thinking and system dynamics around the world. With members
in fifty-five countries, the Society provides a forum in which researchers,
educators, consultants, and practitioners in the corporate and public sectors
interact to introduce newcomers to the field, keep abreast of current
developments, and build on each other's work.
The Special Interest Group on Energy
The Energy SIG is a grouping of
researchers, consultants, developers and experts worldwide interested in or
already applying system dynamics in their work in the energy sector. The Energy
SIG is not an independent body of the System Dynamics Society but is recognized
by the Society's Policy Council as grouping members with a shared interest.
The Energy SIG animates the energy-specific
sessions during the annual
System Dynamics
Conferences by inviting and stimulating various members around the world to
submit interesting papers on their application of system dynamics and aiming
towards information exchange. A Portal Site is available to registered members
allowing to exchange information, to discuss on issues encountered in their work
and to organise events whenever appropriate.
The Energy SIG membership is free but members are
encouraged to be member of the System Dynamics Society.
A list of current members in your neighbourhood
can be consulted at (TO BE DONE).
Contact us for more info
|
