Overview

Systems thinking attempts to understand processes in terms of systems of interconnected pieces. The simplest version of systems models are the bathtub models.

Basic Setup

• Elements - are the actors in the systems. Elements generally need to have a measurable aspect to them. The measures associated with elements are often referred to as stocks.
• Relationships - are inter-connections between the elements. One element influences another through its relationship. The rate of change of one element is referred to as a flow.
• Purpose or Function - what the system is trying to accomplish.