Questions about application of SD

[Jim Thompson <73424.1506@compuse]

John Sterman writes: "A good consultant tailors the tools
and presentation of concepts to the needs, background and
capabilities of the client. Actually, I believe you should
try to stretch the clients mental models a little and not
dumb down the material to the lowest common denominator...
You should not be showing them how numerical integration
works if they dont need to know, want to know, or if it is
not relevant to the issue as they see it. Next time, start
where they are."

There are no less than two skill sets involved here:
competence in system dynamics and competence in consulting.

As to the first, system dynamics is hard to grasp and use.
System dynamics relies heavily upon time series data for
interpreting systemic performance and inferring policy
structure. Many of my clients still struggle with reading
and interpreting a data plot. Those who have devoted the
years necessary to develop skill with comprehending and
analyzing problems with system dynamics often forget the
long and difficult path to learning. And any weakness in
the consultants system dynamics skill set is magnified a
hundredfold by a simple question from a client.

As to the second, consultants often have the urge to
demonstrate knowledge of a methodology to earn the respect
of the client. If the consultant has devoted her/his
learning effort to "positive loops generate growth; negative
loops seek a goal" then this is the message s/he will
naturally want to convey. And when pushed a bit, the
consultant may try to control client work sessions with
"brute" intellectual power. Certain clients may be concerned
with approach, but most are consumed by obtaining good
results. As the problem-solving approach becomes too
difficult, the prospect of good results diminishes.

There is a level or stock of Consulting Skill Maturity in
the consultants learning loop system. Until a consultant
perceives a need to improve general consulting skills, that
consultant will take no action to improve. If the client is
not at home with formal models or the tools of numerical
integration, the client "push back" can create some serious
bruises. That client push back should trigger action to
improve Consulting Skill Maturity, but for some reason, some
system dynamics-trained consultants try teaching numerical
integration or some such, all of which results in rising
frustration and some poor marks for a Methodology.

John Sterman refers to dumbing down the material. In some
of my client experiences, our first actions may seem like we
dumb down the content. But our motive is to reach the
clients first, trying not to pull or push them along but to
travel with them as peers. I have witnessed a benefit to
this approach -- the consultants often find that it is they
(the consultants) who have misinterpretted the issues. To
paraphrase my friend, John, system dynamics should not raise
the platform from which we jump to conclusions. By reaching
out to the client, by starting slowly and not trying to fire
the magic bullet, the consultants often learn that the
subtleties are not trivial and, in fact, may contain the
issue of importance.

If you infer that I am one of those offending "consultants"
referred to, you are right. From personal and painful
experience, I have had to raise the level of my Consulting
Skill Maturity. As a consequence, I hope that only a
desireable academic fragrance is part my practice of SD.

Jim Thompson
73424.1506@compuserve.com

[Jay Forrest]

Jim Thompson wrote: "I believe you should try to stretch the clients mental
models a little and not dumb down the material to the lowest common
denominator...

Communication theory describes what is needed quite nicely. Meaningful
communications must contain both familiar and new information. The familiar
info provides a framework or basis for interpretation and the new new takes
the communication beyond being trivial. As a consultant you MUST adjust
your communication to meet the needs of the client. Be too aggressive on
the new stuff and they will tend to "turn off" on you. Too familiar and
learning will be minimized.

The key is a balance of old and new which will likely be different every
time you do it.

One other thought you might enjoy. While teaching a systems thinking class
this spring I made the following observation. "To some people a graph is
worth a thousand words. To others a graph is a simple waste of paper."
When you encounter the latter, be prepared for difficulties!

Enjoyed your comments, Jim!
Jay Forrest

Pteragenesis
Chaos, Complexity, System Dynamics, Studies of the Future
pteragen@neosoft.com
http://www.neosoft.com/~pteragen