If you're reading this, chances are you've already developed some skills in System Dynamics—or perhaps you're still searching for a way to embark on this journey.
If you're among those who have already started—congratulations! You've acquired an essential skill that will serve you well in the years ahead. Keep refining it, practicing, and never stop asking yourself: “What if?”
If you're just starting out—congratulations as well! You're about to make a decision that will change your life. You're stepping into a new way of seeing the world. But before you get there, you must first choose your path.
Some roads converge toward System Dynamics, while others diverge, leading to different approaches within Systems Thinking or entirely separate disciplines.
From my perspective, there are multiple ways into System Dynamics—some technically align, while others branch off into different methods. But in the end, they all belong to the broader framework of Systems Theory.
Systems Theory: A Shift in Thinking
For centuries, the classical view of the world told us that every action has an immediate reaction. But sometimes, you take an action and… nothing happens. At least, not right away. Yet, over time, a series of consequences unfolds, set in motion by that very action—even though no one noticed it at the time.
Systems Thinking suggests that everything is interconnected. Every system is part of a larger system, and every action—no matter how small—has consequences. Some are immediate, while others unfold over time, shaping a web of interdependencies.
Within Systems Theory, there are many disciplines, but I’ll focus on two:
Systems Thinking
System Dynamics
Two Key Approaches: Systems Thinking & System Dynamics
System Dynamics: The MIT Legacy
System Dynamics was born at MIT, pioneered by Jay W. Forrester.
At its core, System Dynamics is about understanding and modeling systems graphically, mapping internal (endogenous) components to analyze a problematic situation. It does this using two fundamental elements:
🔹 Stocks (Levels) – Represent accumulations of resources.🔹 Flows – Represent the movement of resources between stocks.
But to truly call something System Dynamics, it must go beyond just visual representation. It must include:
✔ Simulation using a computer✔ A set of at least 17 key principles outlined in Forrester’s later works
Without simulation, it’s not System Dynamics—it’s just a diagram.
Systems Thinking: The Influence of Peter Senge
Systems Thinking gained mainstream attention through Peter Senge, a student of Forrester. In his book, The Fifth Discipline, he introduced a set of generic structures using Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs).
Because of this, many people limit themselves to mapping feedback loops—without taking the extra step of building computational models or testing dynamic hypotheses.
But in the end, both System Dynamics and Systems Thinking are simply different ways to model reality—or rather, the observer’s interpretation of reality.
As the statistician George Box famously said:"All models are wrong, but some are useful."
Key Concepts in System Dynamics
The world is not just connected—it’s entangled (yes, this might sound like quantum physics!).
Everything we interact with exists in stocks—resources that accumulate over time. These stocks flow between different parts of the system, interacting through networks of interdependencies.
But here’s where things get tricky:
When someone puts on the “glasses” of System Dynamics for the first time, they often run into a harsh reality:
👉 System Behavior is Counterintuitive.
That means things don’t work the way you’d expect.That’s why some say: “If it doesn’t make your head hurt, you’re doing it wrong.”
But I disagree. Sometimes, it’s not about difficulty—it’s about breaking free from rigid paradigms that limit our thinking.
Finding the Leverage Points
One of the oldest principles in physics is Archimedes’ Law of the Lever:"Give me a place to stand, and I will move the world."
The same applies to complex systems.
In System Dynamics, Donella Meadows introduced the concept of Leverage Points—places within a system where a small, well-placed action can create massive change.
If you identify a leverage point, you can transform a system’s behavior without requiring enormous force, endless resources, or decades of effort.
Where Do You Go From Here?
For now, I’ll stop here. But soon, I’ll continue exploring these major highways that can lead you to a whole new way of understanding the world.
If you’re already on this journey, keep going.If you’re just getting started, welcome to the adventure.
Because not all roads lead to System Dynamics.But the ones that do—lead to a way of thinking that will change everything. 🚀
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