The technical elements of the system dynamics approach

The paper examines the general nature of problem-solving, and it is argued that System Dynamics is appropriate, for certain problem types, both for enhancing understanding and for more formal analysis. This leads to a discussion of some of the more technical modelling issues related to the use of SD as a method of problem analysis in dynamical systems.The technical steps described include influence diagramming, model formulation, validation, and solution procedures, illustrated by a practical application of the SD approach to improving the controllability of a manufacturing system.The paper ends with an examination of the characteristics of, and requirements for, three distinctly different types of SD models.