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Systems Archetypes
From SystemsWiki
A Systems Archetype is a structure which exhibits a unique behavior over time and has a very recurring nature across multiple disciplines of science.
The Balancing Loop and Reinforcing Loop presented in the Causal Loop Diagram article combine in numerous ways which define additional Systems Archetypes because of their unique patterns of behavior and recurring nature.
[edit] Known Systems Archetypes
Beginning with the Reinforcing Loop and Balancing Loop the Systems Archetypes seem to demonstrate a set of emergent relationships. Fig. 1 represents these relationships among the known Systems Archetypes and their emergent characteristic.
[edit] Summary
Now that you've slugged your way through the System Archetypes how do you feel? Overwhelmed? Usually it takes it a while to settle in, though you've just experienced the most common recurring structures across all walks of life.
The benefit of being aware of the System Archetypes is that when you get a sense that a specific System Archetype is in effect, and you connect with the pattern of behavior, you pretty much know how things are going to play out. You also know the most appropriate approaches for dealing with the structure that's operating.
While the qualitative approach is not a sound substitute for quantitative evaluation, there are times when due to expediency it is the most appropriate course of action. Sometimes you only need first aid rather than surgery.
The additional benefit you should have derived from slugging your way through the archetypes is that you've developed a comfortable foundational understanding of the elements, relationships, and tools to work with in developing models and simulations.
[edit] References
- Braun, Bill (2002) The System Archetypes
- Kim, Daniel and Anderson, Virginia (1998) System Archetype Basics: From Story to Structure. Pegasus Communications
- Learning Organization Practitioners Network (web) Systems Archetypes
- Powell, Robert E. (2003) Systems Thinking Archetypes (Generic Structures)
- Wolstenholme, Eirc (1993) Towards the definition and use of a core set of archetypal structures in systems dynamics
- Wolstenholme, Eirc (2004) Using Generic System Archetypes to Support Thinking and Modeling
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