Elements of the System Dynamics Method
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#1997 Operational Research Society Ltd. All rights reserved. 0160-5682/97 $12.00
Book Selection Edited by JM Wilson J Randers (ed): Elements of the System Dynamics Method N Roberts, D Anderson, R Deal, M Garet and W Shaffer: Introduction to Computer SimulationÐ A System Dynamics Modeling Approach GP Richardson and AL Pugh III: Introduction to System Dynamics Modeling with DYNAMO MR Goodman: Study Notes in System Dynamics JP Womack and DT Jones: Lean ThinkingÐBanish Waste and Create Wealth in your Corporation J Mingers: Self-Producing SystemsÐImplications and Applications of Autopoiesis M Pidd: Tools for ThinkingÐModelling in Management Science
Four Invited Book Reviews Following the recent reissue by Productivity Press of the classic text Industrial Dynamics by J W Forrester, which was reviewed and reappraised on pp 1037±1041 of Vol. 48 of the Journal, I have invited reviews of four more reissued texts on System Dynamics John Wilson Elements of the System Dynamics Method J Randers (ed) Productivity Press, Portland, Oregon, 1994. xxiv 320 pp. $50.00. ISBN 0 915 299 39 9 Jùrgen Randers' collection brings together advanced papers which form an arc from the founding principles of the System Dynamics approach, to the methods used in sketching out and then rigorously constructing computer models and then on to the means of employing such models and some issues relating to implementation. There are numerous tables and ®gures and also an index. The collection consists of an introduction and six parts totalling 14 chapters. Part 1Ð`Paradigm'Ðhas two pieces, dealing with the fundamental epistemological stance of System Dynamics as a method of enquiry and comparing it with that of econometrics. In Part II, on `Applied Principles', three authors begin to show how these ideas can be applied to understand real world phenomena. The process of `Conceptualisation' in Part III deals with the dif®culties of moving from the complexity of the system under study into the world of System Dynamics ideas in order to begin sketching out a model which uses feedback to probe dynamic behaviour. The next stage, `Formulation',
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is covered in two chapters of the fourth part and deals with some of the steps needed to create a fully parametrized computer simulation model which can then be used rigorously to deduce behaviour. Sensitivity analysis and two methods for considering which variables to include in a model are the topics covered in Part V on `Testing'. The ®nal part on `Implementation' has three papers describing different experiences of generating contact with client groups in organisations to ensure that they are centrally involved in System Dynamics modelling studies and therefore implement any changes generated by the process. Hands up, I surrender, I love this book. It is one of the many System Dynamics books reissued by Productivity. It was originally published in 1980 and is drawn from papers at a conference in 1976, no less, but fear not; this is not mutton dressed as lamb. It is true that some
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