System Dynamics Glossary
This is the System Dynamics Glossary compiled by David N. Ford and Accepted by Yaman Barlas. It was published on November 7th 2019 here: https://doi.org/10.1002/sdr.1641.
Introduction
As a narrowly focused dictionary, this glossary defines commonly used terms that are central to traditional system dynamics and some more general terms that have special meanings or particular importance within system dynamics. General terms that have no special meanings in system dynamics, application‐specific terms, and software‐specific terms are not included. The reader is referred to the relevant literature for those definitions, as well as detailed descriptions, explanations, and examples of the terms included here.
Click on the Concept to View the complete Description.
Concept | Description |
|---|---|
State variable | See stock. |
Static | Not changing over time; constant. The opposite of dynamic. |
Steady‐state behavior | A behavior pattern that is repetitive or constant over time and in which the behavior in one time period is of the same nature as any other period. |
Step function (step input) | An input (usually for testing purposes) that suddenly changes by a fixed amount and then remains at the new value. |
Stock (level) | An accumulation of quantities in specific locations or conditions in a system. A component of a system that accumulates or drains over time. Stocks are the memory of a system and can only be changed by flows. |
Stock‐and‐flow diagram | A visual depiction of the stock, flow and auxiliary (converter) variables in a system and how they are connected. |
Structure | See system structure. |
Structure diagram | A diagram that displays the system feedback and accumulation structure. |
System | A collection of parts that interact in a meaningful, inseparable way to function as a whole. |
System archetype | An integrated feedback structure, the resulting behavior mode or modes, and a story of how the structure can create the behavior modes, so as to describe a common problem and potential solutions. A type of generic structure. |
System boundary | See boundary. |
System structure | The way in which system elements are organized or interrelated. The totality of feedback loops, stocks, flows and time delays in the system. The building blocks and connections of a system. |
References
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