Introduction to System Dynamics
Introduction to systems thinking and system dynamics modeling applied to strategy, organizational change, and policy design. Students use simulation models, management flight simulators, and case studies to develop conceptual and modeling skills for the design and management of high-performance organizations in a dynamic world. Case studies of successful applications of system dynamics in growth strategy, management of technology, operations, public policy, product development, and others. Principles for effective use of modeling in the real world. Meets with 15.873 first half of term when offered concurrently. Students taking 15.871 complete additional assignments.
Fall 2013
Introduction to systems thinking and system dynamics modeling applied to strategy, organizational change, and policy design. Students use simulation models, management flight simulators, and case studies to develop conceptual and modeling skills for the design and management of high-performance organizations in a dynamic world.
Readings
- The following table notes the days for which readings are to be prepared (NOTE: before the class in which we discuss them). It also indicates which sections of the text you should be sure to read to learn the material you will need to do the assignments, and which sections you can skim ( NOTE : ‘skim’ ≠ ‘skip’).
- [BD] = Sterman, J. Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World . McGraw-Hill / Irwin, 2000. ISBN: 9780072389159.
- [BD] Read Chapter 1.
- SES #: 2 · TOPICS: System Dynamics Tools Part 1: Building a model · READINGS DUE: [BD] Read Chapter 3.1-3.4, and skim section 3.5.
- SES #: 3 · TOPICS: System Dynamics Tools Part 2: Problem definition and model purpose; building theory with causal loop diagrams · READINGS DUE: [BD] Read Chapter 5, and skim sections 5.4, and 5.6.
- SES #: 4 · TOPICS: System Dynamics Tools Part 3: Mapping the stock and flow structure of systems · READINGS DUE: [BD] Read Chapter 6, and skim sections 6.2.7-6.2.9, 6.3.4, and 6.3.6.
- [BD] Read Chapter 7.
- SES #: 6 · TOPICS: System Dynamics Tools Part 5: Understanding the Dynamics of Simple Systems · READINGS DUE: [BD] Skim sections 8.1, 8.2.1, 8.2.2, 8.3, and 8.4.
- SES #: 7 · TOPICS: System Dynamics Tools Part 6: Analyzing Systems and Creating Robust Policies · READINGS DUE: [BD] Chapter 9.1–9.2.
- SES #: 9 · TOPICS: Growth Strategies: Network externalities, complementarities, and path dependence · READINGS DUE: [BD] Read Chapter 10, and skim section 10.2.
- SES #: 12 · TOPICS: Lessons from People Express. Course wrap up and evaluations. · READINGS DUE: No reading due.
Prerequisites & course information
Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Fall, Spring; first half of term) 3-0-3 units Credit cannot also be received for 15.736 , 15.873 , 15.8731
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026–2027
- MIT OpenCourseWare ↗Fall 2013
- MIT OCW readings ↗
- MIT OCW syllabus ↗
- Historical MIT OpenCourseWare offering. Named reading entries and schedule topics are automatically extracted from the linked source pages.