Building a model in a community allows us to better understand a system from diverse viewpoints. Expertise and knowledge from several parts of the system helps to generate new insights. Participants learn about current issues and events, how to apply basic principles of systems thinking and mapping, and how to effectively structure and visualize a discussion.

This three-session recorded webinar series demonstrates an application of an online community model building process. In several simple steps, it shows how a complex issue can be discussed in a community with various systems thinking tools.

In this webinar, an online community of 70 participants from diverse backgrounds actively contributed to the discussion and model building process.

Course Overview

Class 1: Reference Mode and Dynamic Hypothesis

Get an overview of the modeling process. To build a model, it is key to clearly define the issue. To do so, we identify a reference mode of behavior to focus the discussion. We talk about different shapes of behavior and how a system can produce these. Finally, we develop a dynamic hypothesis (qualitative model) that helps to explain the reference mode behavior.

Class 2: Quantitative Model

Learn about the key building blocks and how a dynamic hypothesis can be turned into a quantitative model. We discuss the quantitative model and compare the behavior that it produces to the reference mode.

Class 3: Sensitivity Analysis and Debrief

Reflect on the modeling process and key lessons. In the final session, we discuss more model results with sensitivity analysis. In this step, we test the impact of each parameter on the overall system behavior. We review the modeling process and how each modeling stage can reveal profound insights into a topic. Many of these lessons can be used to integrate systems thinking into your daily life.