Chapter 5. Cyclical Dynamics and the Process of Model Building

• An Overview of the Modelling Process

• Employment and Production Instability – Puzzling Performance Over Time

• Equation Formulations and Computations in Production Control

• Modelling Workforce Management and Factory Production Dynamics

• Equation Formulations in Workforce Management

• Chronic Cyclicality in Employment and Production and How to Cure It

• Modelling for Learning and Soft Systems

• Appendix 1: Model Communication and Policy Structure Diagrams

• Appendix 2: The Dynamics of Information Smoothing

Modelling is iterative. It begins with a concern about dynamics (performance over time) and preliminary ideas about feedback structure. Then gradually, in stages, a model takes shape that clarifies the concern and sharpens ideas about structure. The purpose is not to create a perfect model that replicates the real world situation in every detail. Rather it is to engage in a learning process using the model as an instrument for investigation, clarification and discovery.