Stock-and-flows vs. Causal Loops

Michael Bean · Post by **Michael Bean** » Thu Apr 24, 1997 12:11 pm

I have been looking for a reference to a paper about the relative strengths
and weaknesses of causal-loop diagrams vs. stock-and-flow diagrams. I
believe that Barry Richmond wrote an excellent piece on this a few years
ago, but the exact reference escapes me.

Can anyone refresh my memory? Also, I would appreciate other references on
the same topic. Thanks in advance. --Michael

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Jim Hines · Post by **Jim Hines** » Fri Apr 25, 1997 9:51 am

This is in reply to Michael Beans query about articles on loop vs.
stock and flow diagrams.

George Richardson has a good article which is mostly about causl loops,
but also mentions stock and flow diagrams. It is:

Richardson, George. 1986. "Problems with causal-loop diagrams". System
Dynamics Review 2 (no. 2, Summer 1986).

Regards,
Jim Hines
LeapTec and MIT
JimHines@interserv.com

Dseville@aol.com · Post by **Dseville@aol.com** » Fri Apr 25, 1997 12:19 pm

Mike -

Morecroft did a bunch of writing on this discussion, particularly in
suggesting his policy structure diagramming technique, which is sort of a
combination of stocks and flows and causal loops.

don
Dseville@aol.com

Klaus Schoel · Post by **Klaus Schoel** » Fri Apr 25, 1997 4:32 pm

Michael Bean wrote:
> a paper about the relative strengths and weaknesses of causal-loop diagrams...

I think it is the following article where you are looking for:
Richardson, G.P. (1986).
Problems with Causal-Loop Diagramms, in: System Dynamics Review, No.2,
pp. 158-170

The article is really excellent.

--
Klaus Schoel (kschoel@gwdg.de)
Institut fuer Marketing und Handel
Georg-August-Universitaet, Nikolausberger Weg 23
37073 Goettingen, Germany
Tel. ++49 +551 39 - 4499, Fax - 4446