Systems & complexitySystems thinking and modelling

Applied Understanding: Productivity Challenge [Systems thinking & modelling series]

This is part 21 of a series of articles featuring the book Beyond Connecting the Dots, Modeling for Meaningful Results.

Assume you are responsible for a project that’s behind schedule. What alternatives might you consider for getting it back on track? The “Joe P. Management Challenge” model investigates several possible alternatives.

Interactive model: Joe P. Management Challenge

What are the most obvious options when a project is behind schedule? Do they work?

Joe P. Management Challenge

Need help? See the Model instructions

The previous model was an initial set of thoughts about the possible options for getting the project back on track. The “Credit Never Happened: Relations” model will dig deeper into what are considered additional relevant relationships.

Interactive model: Credit Never Happened: Relations

There are more relevant relations needed to really understand the situation.

Credit Never Happened: Relations

Need help? See the Model instructions

While the “Credit Never Happened: Relations” model may have provided additional perspectives on the relations that might be considered, there is limited understanding to be derived from the picture. The “Credit Never Happened: Simulation” is intended to investigate the dynamic implications of the relations considered relevant for this situation.

Interactive model: Credit Never Happened: Simulation

A dynamic simulation typically provides insights that one simply can’t derive from a picture.

Credit Never Happened: Simulation

Need help? See the Model instructions

The reality that we hope was surfaced in this model is that you can’t get something for nothing. Everything has an associated cost. If you want things to get better you have to invest. Investing wisely is even better.

Next edition: Applied Understanding: Restaurant Covers.

Article sources: Beyond Connecting the Dots, Insight Maker. Reproduced by permission.

Header image source: Beyond Connecting the Dots.

Rate this post

Scott Fortmann-Roe and Gene Bellinger

Scott Fortmann-Roe, creator of Insight Maker, and Gene Bellinger, creator of SystemsWiki, have written the innovative interactive book "Beyond Connecting the Dots" to demystify systems thinking and modelling.

Related Articles

Back to top button