System Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World

MIT RES.15-004 System Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World, IAP 2020
Instructor: James Paine

This one-day workshop explores systems interactions in the real world, providing an introduction to the field of system dynamics. It also serves as a preview of the more in-depth coverage available in courses offered at MIT Sloan such as 15.871 Introduction to System Dynamics, 15.872 System Dynamics II, and 15.873 System Dynamics for Business and Policy.

License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA

[tomroderick]

As a 76 year old long retired ISye this is an amazing memory for me. As an undergraduate in the late 1960's and earning my Bachelors degree in 1970, I can remember at least having some exposure to this back then. However, my career took a different turn and after graduation I served four years in the Air Force where I became very involved in computers and networks concluding as the Network Engineer and Security Officer for an organization that involved over 90K employees.
I can remember ALWAYS thinking outside of my narrow area and gained a reputation for having considerable expertise in both the technical aspects of our computer systems and networks, but also deep knowledge and understanding of the business process and goals. My first thoughts on beginning any new project was to consider myself the student and work with the people who were actually doing the work and focus on what they needed and what affected them. Then use what I had learned about the ENTIRE system to make the goals of the project either happen or change to what was really needed. Oh, and I was really familiar with the work of Jay Forrester both in this area and in electronics. Thanks again for making this video available.

[SanvelloSerapiega]

14:00 system thinking foundational assumptions
28:00 obligatory correlation and causation

[brianliang]

Once told System Dynamics is one of those must-take course from MIT. Thanks for uploading

[tatianaquercia]

Thanks for opening lectures for free. I really appreciated the explanation of the causality principle from a system-level point of view.

[jonatasdornelles]

I’m more fascinated at how everyone’s just dining during the lecture. MIT really is the greatest university ever. I don’t know why we don’t just incorporate lunch into classrooms it would probably improve GDP by 2%.

[davyjuice]

Ben from parks and rec is killing it on this lecture.

[paigefoster]

Thought I was taking a break from the news, then I saw how this applies to everything. Very good.

[ToriKo_]

Business Dynamics by John Sterman Chapter 1 & 2 for a good overview of system dynamics/thinking


Starts talking about book reccs at 45:00 ish or after

[mikiallen]

Thank goodness for the existance of an institution such as MIT

[superfreiheit]

We need more videos to this topics. Where are the other 2 hours?

[byronandresnoguerasalazar]

Gracias por el aporte magnánimo de los pocos canales que aportan a la sociedad no soy de juzgar pero hay canales con contenido burdo e insulso que tienen millones de vistas cuando no aportan algo util en la vida. Gracias por enriquecer al conocimiento científico saludos y un gran abrazo desde Ecuador a todos los profesionales, eminencias desde Ecuador son unos crack 👏👏👏📖👍

[trent]

Great lecture. It would be cool if MIT could post the whole System Dynamics class.

[zhangkate]

An insightful framework, even such a small loop model solved my problem and enhanced my understanding.

[bawol-official]

Discovered System Dynamics well after I took a software design class and I WISH I took System Dynamics prior since i feel like this is a far better visual language for designing/describing complex systems. It would have made software development much easier to grasp as a beginner

[thomasjones]

There is no such thing as models, just reality, but models provide understanding and opportunities for intervention and change.

[zacharydavis]

Thanks for spending the time to create and share this content awareness/perspective 🙏🏾

[Martin-iwll]

To really be able to manage a supply chain, politics and psychology is probably more important than advanced mathematics. Having a more efficient supply chain is only going to maybe shave 2 to 5% off. But not knowing geopolitics and behavioural psychology could massively reduce your productivity when big events that you did not forsee hits you. That is what is going to bankrupt your company.

[profa.cheaib]

A great presentation of a complex set of concepts and notions.

[kennethjunlogrono]

very interesting to apply systems thinking in healthcare

[tapasranjanmohanta]

Thanks for the free video.

I think this field should explore the Linux kernel project. It's a truly globally distributed project with all remote workers while being the most important software project of our times.

There should be a lot to learn from it.