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Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World
Today's leading authority on the subject of this text is the author, MIT Standish Professor of Management and Director of the System Dynamics Group, John D. Sterman. Sterman's objective is to explain, in a true textbook format, what system dynamics is, and how it can be successfully applied to solve business and organizational problems. System dynamics is both a currently utilized approach to organizational problem solving at the professional level, and a field of study in business, engineering, and social and physical sciences.
993 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1999
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September 16, 2016
در تمام این سال هایی که عضو گودریدز بوده ام، از اضافه کردن کتاب های درسی به قفسه هایم اجتناب کرده ام. بیشتر به این خاطر که بین خواندن برای لذت بردن و درس خواندن تفاوت قائلم و همیشه دوست داشته ام یک فضای مستقل و مجزا برای اولی قائل باشم. الان تا حدودی پشیمانم که کتاب های این هشت سال دانشجویی را فهرست نکرده ام. مطمئنا مجموعه ی قابل توجهی می شد.
اما این کتاب چیز دیگری ست. جدا از اینکه یکی از بهترین ها در حوزه ی تفکر سیستمی ست، از خواندنش جدا لذت می برم و گاهی وقت ها مثل بعضی رمان ها، از وسط باز می کنم و بی هدف شروع می کنم به خواندن. کتاب دیگری که این حالت را برایم دارد، تفکر سیستمی جکسون است: کل گرایی خلاق. به نظرم فضای تصمیم گیری در دنیا و کشورمان همین تفکر سیستمی را کم دارد. کاش خواندن یکی از این دو کتاب برای تصمیم گیرندگان مان اجباری بود.
اما این کتاب چیز دیگری ست. جدا از اینکه یکی از بهترین ها در حوزه ی تفکر سیستمی ست، از خواندنش جدا لذت می برم و گاهی وقت ها مثل بعضی رمان ها، از وسط باز می کنم و بی هدف شروع می کنم به خواندن. کتاب دیگری که این حالت را برایم دارد، تفکر سیستمی جکسون است: کل گرایی خلاق. به نظرم فضای تصمیم گیری در دنیا و کشورمان همین تفکر سیستمی را کم دارد. کاش خواندن یکی از این دو کتاب برای تصمیم گیرندگان مان اجباری بود.
December 17, 2015
به طرز وحشتناکی این کتاب خوبه.
تفکر سیستمی و مدل سازی یک جهان پیچیده. جهانی که ویژگی شماره ی یکش در حال تغییر بودن و ایستا نبودنه. از همون اول کتاب که مثال سیاست مقاومتی در یک سیستم اجتماعی رو تشریح می کنه یقه ی خواننده رو می گیره و یادش می ده که یه جور دیگه نگاه کنه. یه جور دیگه به مسائل جهان اطرافش به زندگی روزمره ش نگاه کنه. جوری که بتونه سر در بیاره. بتونه بفهمه که چی داره رنجش می ده و چه جوری... چه جوری... چه جوری... و تا انتها تمام مفاهیم تفکر سیستمی را با بی نهایت مثال خواندنی همراه می کنه.
فوق العاده ست این کتاب.
تفکر سیستمی و مدل سازی یک جهان پیچیده. جهانی که ویژگی شماره ی یکش در حال تغییر بودن و ایستا نبودنه. از همون اول کتاب که مثال سیاست مقاومتی در یک سیستم اجتماعی رو تشریح می کنه یقه ی خواننده رو می گیره و یادش می ده که یه جور دیگه نگاه کنه. یه جور دیگه به مسائل جهان اطرافش به زندگی روزمره ش نگاه کنه. جوری که بتونه سر در بیاره. بتونه بفهمه که چی داره رنجش می ده و چه جوری... چه جوری... چه جوری... و تا انتها تمام مفاهیم تفکر سیستمی را با بی نهایت مثال خواندنی همراه می کنه.
فوق العاده ست این کتاب.
January 3, 2009
Reading this book gives you X-Ray goggles for analysing complex situations - politics, economics or just how work is done at your company. READ IT!!! I would not like to call it a business book it is so much more than that - systems dynamics is way of seeing and thinking about complex situations regardless where they appear.
One of the leading authorities on the subject of this text is the author, MIT Standish Professor of Management and Director of the System Dynamics Group, John D. Sterman. Sterman's objective is to explain, in a true textbook format, what system dynamics is, and how it can be successfully applied to solve business and organizational problems. System dynamics is both a currently utilized approach to organizational problem solving at the professional level, and a field of study in business, engineering, and social and physical sciences.
One of the leading authorities on the subject of this text is the author, MIT Standish Professor of Management and Director of the System Dynamics Group, John D. Sterman. Sterman's objective is to explain, in a true textbook format, what system dynamics is, and how it can be successfully applied to solve business and organizational problems. System dynamics is both a currently utilized approach to organizational problem solving at the professional level, and a field of study in business, engineering, and social and physical sciences.
March 29, 2020
Business Dynamics is an advanced textbook which paves the way to a) understand the nature and components of dynamic systems and b) to create models that can eventually be simulated mathematically to create behavior over time charts for various factors represented in the model.
The author stresses two aspects that create an inherent tension within the field. On the one hand, there is a solid mathematical foundation to process and calculate the behavior of any model over time. These techniques protect the discipline from "... becoming a vague set of tools and unreliable generalizations." On the other hand, examined systems and generated models include the full complexity of human behavior which require different approaches than scientific or engineering problems.
The first part introduces a basic approach to understand - and think in - complex systems by contrasting an event-based, linear view with circular feedback structures. This includes detailed explanations of the most common dynamic behaviors, especially of growth processes. These are Exponential Growth, Goal Seeking, S-Shaped Growth, Oscillation, Growth with Overshoot, and Overshoot and Collapse.
Part two explains tools to aid thinking in systems. Conceptual Causal Loop Diagrams help to capture and visualize feedback in reinforcing or balancing loops. The concepts of stocks and flows bridge the gap to define models for system behavior that can be mathematically simulated over time. The interaction between stocks and flows follows general rules and there are common structural patterns.
Part three deals with growth patterns and how they are influenced by feedback structures. Part four focuses on how to express specifc aspects like delays or common correlations between attributes in a model. Part five adresses instability and oscillation - behavior patterns that result from the underlying system structure. Guidelines to determine whether a model should be trusted or not can be found in part six. The final part seven gives an outlook for challenges yet to be approached.
Even though it took me quite some time to plough through most of it, the invested effort has proven well worth it. So far, I have applied the modelling approach to about a handful of problems. Two models have proven priceless with regard to recognizing the leverage points for effective action as well as communicating necessary measures. To me, working from a causal-loop diagram to a stock-and-flow diagram was a time consuming task. However, when scrutinizing a problem thoroughly enough and putting in the necessary rigor to make everything add up ... everything just falls in place and a clear picture emerges naturally.
The author stresses two aspects that create an inherent tension within the field. On the one hand, there is a solid mathematical foundation to process and calculate the behavior of any model over time. These techniques protect the discipline from "... becoming a vague set of tools and unreliable generalizations." On the other hand, examined systems and generated models include the full complexity of human behavior which require different approaches than scientific or engineering problems.
The first part introduces a basic approach to understand - and think in - complex systems by contrasting an event-based, linear view with circular feedback structures. This includes detailed explanations of the most common dynamic behaviors, especially of growth processes. These are Exponential Growth, Goal Seeking, S-Shaped Growth, Oscillation, Growth with Overshoot, and Overshoot and Collapse.
Part two explains tools to aid thinking in systems. Conceptual Causal Loop Diagrams help to capture and visualize feedback in reinforcing or balancing loops. The concepts of stocks and flows bridge the gap to define models for system behavior that can be mathematically simulated over time. The interaction between stocks and flows follows general rules and there are common structural patterns.
Part three deals with growth patterns and how they are influenced by feedback structures. Part four focuses on how to express specifc aspects like delays or common correlations between attributes in a model. Part five adresses instability and oscillation - behavior patterns that result from the underlying system structure. Guidelines to determine whether a model should be trusted or not can be found in part six. The final part seven gives an outlook for challenges yet to be approached.
Even though it took me quite some time to plough through most of it, the invested effort has proven well worth it. So far, I have applied the modelling approach to about a handful of problems. Two models have proven priceless with regard to recognizing the leverage points for effective action as well as communicating necessary measures. To me, working from a causal-loop diagram to a stock-and-flow diagram was a time consuming task. However, when scrutinizing a problem thoroughly enough and putting in the necessary rigor to make everything add up ... everything just falls in place and a clear picture emerges naturally.
July 10, 2012
Since the development of System Dynamics (Jay Forrester at MIT, 1961) many academics and practitioners in Systems Dynamics have published a considerable number of books. They have ranged from the theoretical to the practical, spanning a wide range of applications, business, economics, health and medicine, and social science.
This volume by John Sterman brings a good deal of prior scholarship into a single volume. It has become, in the field, the most common reference for students and practitioners alike.
The book takes an exhaustive view of the dynamics of business and delves deeply into the subtleties of how information and materials flow through companies. The book contains a large number of examples (and a CD with the dynamics models in the chapters already constructed in the major software packages used by practitioners - Powersim, iThink, and Vensim).
This is a book more likely to be used as a reference than read cover to cover.
Sterman writes is a very accessible style, effectively making a good deal of complicated material relatively easy to read. I strongly recommend it to anyone involved in System Dynamics.
This volume by John Sterman brings a good deal of prior scholarship into a single volume. It has become, in the field, the most common reference for students and practitioners alike.
The book takes an exhaustive view of the dynamics of business and delves deeply into the subtleties of how information and materials flow through companies. The book contains a large number of examples (and a CD with the dynamics models in the chapters already constructed in the major software packages used by practitioners - Powersim, iThink, and Vensim).
This is a book more likely to be used as a reference than read cover to cover.
Sterman writes is a very accessible style, effectively making a good deal of complicated material relatively easy to read. I strongly recommend it to anyone involved in System Dynamics.
August 18, 2025
am fascinated by learning how systems thinking applies in the real world. This book covers the basics of business dynamics with excellent examples. A few of my favorite models from the book include: how positive feedback loops drive network effects and lead to monopolistic behavior; how higher achievements can sometimes reduce motivation through negative feedback loops; and how introducing stretch goals can counterbalance this effect.
The modeling of epidemics, the spread of rumors, and the adoption of innovations also follow similar patterns. Although the book is somewhat lengthy and written in a textbook style, its examples make each concept much easier to connect with real-world situations. I only wish I had the opportunity to explore such examples during my systems engineering courses.
The modeling of epidemics, the spread of rumors, and the adoption of innovations also follow similar patterns. Although the book is somewhat lengthy and written in a textbook style, its examples make each concept much easier to connect with real-world situations. I only wish I had the opportunity to explore such examples during my systems engineering courses.
Read
April 29, 2010Let's be honest, I didn't read the whole thing.
August 25, 2019
(1/2): I knew what I was going to expect in this book. As an academic text, this must be superb. However, as a general book to read, it will take a little more efforts than one would expect. In the second part of this review, I will write in detail what I learned from this book. However, if you are not looking specifically to learn 'systems thinking' for a specific task at hand, you may skip the middle section of the book.
(2/2): That being said, there were some key points that I learned from this book:
(A) Auxiliary hypothesis: When a hypothesis is challenged by a contradictory set of data, researchers often come up with an 'auxiliary hypothesis'. For example, the principles of physics exemplified by the planetary motion were somehow contradicted by the motion of certain planets. However, instead of discarding the planetary motion laws, scientists came up with an auxiliary hypothesis that a distant star is affecting the planetary motion for some planets. My understanding is that the author is not criticizing this practice, but merely bringing it to the attention of the readers. Keeping the process of hypothesis testing in mind helps while reading about the theories already proven to be true.
(B) Modeling real-world complex systems is a daunting task. Yet, some modelers attempt it with certain assumption and simplifications. However, when the real data doesn't match with the results of their model, an additional variable or a small numerical change in the model fixes this issue- temporarily. The problem is that this practice makes the whole exercise of modeling a little less robust and prone to skepticism.
Overall, this book gives certain tools that will help understand a complex system as a whole, even better with the help of modeling. The book helps grasp the 'systems thinking' way of doing things, but I feel the need to solidify these learning by applying the principles in real life.
(2/2): That being said, there were some key points that I learned from this book:
(A) Auxiliary hypothesis: When a hypothesis is challenged by a contradictory set of data, researchers often come up with an 'auxiliary hypothesis'. For example, the principles of physics exemplified by the planetary motion were somehow contradicted by the motion of certain planets. However, instead of discarding the planetary motion laws, scientists came up with an auxiliary hypothesis that a distant star is affecting the planetary motion for some planets. My understanding is that the author is not criticizing this practice, but merely bringing it to the attention of the readers. Keeping the process of hypothesis testing in mind helps while reading about the theories already proven to be true.
(B) Modeling real-world complex systems is a daunting task. Yet, some modelers attempt it with certain assumption and simplifications. However, when the real data doesn't match with the results of their model, an additional variable or a small numerical change in the model fixes this issue- temporarily. The problem is that this practice makes the whole exercise of modeling a little less robust and prone to skepticism.
Overall, this book gives certain tools that will help understand a complex system as a whole, even better with the help of modeling. The book helps grasp the 'systems thinking' way of doing things, but I feel the need to solidify these learning by applying the principles in real life.
January 21, 2021
A through review on what needs to be considered by business leaders at a macro level. Combing it with strategy design, organization structure and econometrics, would enable the reader to form an holistic view on the mechanisms affecting a business (and reversely being affected by it).
It seeks explanation to most phenomena as a result of dynamic interactions between system constituents rather the phenomenon itself (as conventional science tend to do). It divides the world into indigenous and exogenous variables and constants and seek rationalisation via framing causal relations between different aspects of a system.
It meticulously explains how diseases could spread, after 2020 it is almost common knowledge, in so called S shape spreads. For professionals and business people, the constraints to growth and forces affecting business leading to cycles, either virtuous or vicious are absolutely amazing.
There are ample example of social issues such as opioid prevalence in 90s (Cocaine) and how systems could become path dependent as we set rules and laws (Sweden wheel side and rail size in the US).
The discussions on policy resistance and fundamental moves are particular topics still appealing and useful to me after around 8 years from the date I first read it.
Hope it’s helps!
Cheers,
Ardy
It seeks explanation to most phenomena as a result of dynamic interactions between system constituents rather the phenomenon itself (as conventional science tend to do). It divides the world into indigenous and exogenous variables and constants and seek rationalisation via framing causal relations between different aspects of a system.
It meticulously explains how diseases could spread, after 2020 it is almost common knowledge, in so called S shape spreads. For professionals and business people, the constraints to growth and forces affecting business leading to cycles, either virtuous or vicious are absolutely amazing.
There are ample example of social issues such as opioid prevalence in 90s (Cocaine) and how systems could become path dependent as we set rules and laws (Sweden wheel side and rail size in the US).
The discussions on policy resistance and fundamental moves are particular topics still appealing and useful to me after around 8 years from the date I first read it.
Hope it’s helps!
Cheers,
Ardy
December 7, 2020
Statics, kinematics, and dynamics.
The best way to design a lasting solution to a complex business problem is to first have a mental picture of the problem (statics) as a system diagram, then observe the system in action (kinematics), and then understand all of the inputs and internal as well as external interactions that cause the system to work (dynamics) and study which of those inputs or interactions is causing the problem.
Professor John Sterman of MIT provides an excellent discussion of the dynamics at work in a variety of business relations, which helps you generate ideas on how to solve problems that occur within these relations. His book has helped me as a dispute resolution professional and inspired me to learn even more at MIT.
The best way to design a lasting solution to a complex business problem is to first have a mental picture of the problem (statics) as a system diagram, then observe the system in action (kinematics), and then understand all of the inputs and internal as well as external interactions that cause the system to work (dynamics) and study which of those inputs or interactions is causing the problem.
Professor John Sterman of MIT provides an excellent discussion of the dynamics at work in a variety of business relations, which helps you generate ideas on how to solve problems that occur within these relations. His book has helped me as a dispute resolution professional and inspired me to learn even more at MIT.
April 14, 2025
this is a great book, the concept is really good, but later the book gets surprisingly technical.
The stocks & flows diagram can be used for everything, and figuring out the feedback loop is super important.
The stocks & flows diagram can be used for everything, and figuring out the feedback loop is super important.
June 20, 2017
Good until chapter 6 and then it is basically a freshman calculus review.
October 2, 2017
Must read
May 2, 2019
really best guidance for understanding about system dynamics
October 29, 2019
thanks so much
Currently reading
September 3, 2020Classic text; tends to being long-winded.
Read
December 19, 20241,2,4,5,6,7,11,17,19
December 6, 2025
A comprehensive introduction to system dynamics applied to business problems.
April 2, 2008
Though my current study field uses mathematical models intensively, I’d never like it nor thought that it would be useful to solve real world problem. Alas, I could never find a good excuse to hate it. With system dynamics, things are different now. Mathematical models approach was known for some limitation and for complex cases it would become useless, with system dynamic & system thinking approach we could solve multifaceted problem easily with higher accuracy compared to that old damn traditional Mathematics approach!
Sterman has made an excellent literature to study SD & ST, every chapter on this book explain these topics on a complete and brief manner. And the best feature for this book is: its focused on business perspective! Sweet! Now I have a good reason to throw my econometric books to the trash bin (and burn them to ashes!) *evil grin*
Sterman has made an excellent literature to study SD & ST, every chapter on this book explain these topics on a complete and brief manner. And the best feature for this book is: its focused on business perspective! Sweet! Now I have a good reason to throw my econometric books to the trash bin (and burn them to ashes!) *evil grin*
April 11, 2007
intersting and new approach to System dynamics.
new dimension of systems thinking and modeling.
and... .
new dimension of systems thinking and modeling.
and... .
January 27, 2011
An amazing methodology to apply in indian scenario!! A complimentary technique which makes a good use of existing industry frameworks by linking them and giving them a new dimension. I am loving it..
August 9, 2011
My Management Reference Book, Hindu Mythology epic Mahabharat documents every life situation in, Business dynamics documents the Management Problems and solutions.
June 6, 2013
Used as a reference for my coursework.
Read
August 2, 2014dejeme leer el libro
November 20, 2015
Great, great book. It changes the way you look at complex phenomena. I recommend it to public policy makers and business managers in general.
April 28, 2015
Wow!Even a 5 years old can understand those models.
Easy to comprehend ,A must read to gain insight into the world of distribution and dynamics of Planet Earth.
Easy to comprehend ,A must read to gain insight into the world of distribution and dynamics of Planet Earth.
February 27, 2016
The bible for system dynamicists.
Read
February 13, 2018A very wonderful and profound book
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews