Analyze Your Own System
To complete your work on this lesson, go back to the system you identified earlier (on Page 4) or pick a new one that interests you. Then analyze the system by going through these five steps:
Step 1: Identify the issue and the system involved.
- What are you concerned about?
Step 2: Identify the parts of the system and its boundary.
- What are the important factors? Write these down. Be aware of the factors will you "leave aside" for now.
Step 3: Graph the key trends in the system.
- Pick one or more of the key factors you listed in Step 2. How does each change over time? Do they increase, decrease, or both? Create a simple line graph for each of these factors.
Step 4: Diagram the causal connections.
Select one of these graphs of the key factors that you think is central to the issue you named in Step 1. Ask yourself: What set of interrelationships might be driving the trend line in the graph? Then draw the causal loop diagram.
- Start with the key factor you selected.
- Use links and arrows to indicate causes and consequences.
- Close the loops where appropriate.
- Label your diagram: What type of feedback loops do you have in your system?
Step 5: Verify your diagram and consider actions.
- Discuss your diagram with others, and make changes to clarify your diagram. Find data to support your loop model. If appropriate, act upon your suggestions and observe real world results, or use a simulation to model the changes. Report your findings! (You can describe your findings in the notes box here, if you'd like.)
You must be signed in to save work in this lesson. Log in