Ventana software support forum

>>How many system dynamicists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?


I think this question is best understood by considering how some of the
great members of the field might tackle the question:

The Pugh-Roberts folk might develop a sophisticated model to predict when
the bulbs would burn out. Ventanna might add a high tech algorithim to
optimally schedule the staff of bulb replacers.

Jack Homer would do the same thing, but only for those light bulbs used in
crack houses and as motorcycle headlights.

David Kreutzer, George Richardson and David Andersen might get the light
bulbs themselves invovled in a discussion and group model building effort
to understand why they so often get burned out.

Peter Senge could pick this up, but would probably refocus the discussion
on whether they aspire to burn out or just to fade away

Mark Paich and his maintenace-minded colleagues would suggest its better to
replace the bulbs proactively rather than wait for them to burn out.

Those from the larger consulting companies might question the value
proposition of the light bulb and perhaps suggest that the service of
illumination provision be outsourced to a cheaper external provider.

Dana Meadows would probably ask whether we need so many light bulbs in the
first place.


And Jay Forrester...


well, after admonishing us for taking such a low leverage approach to the
problem, hed redesign the system so those silly bulbs didnt burn out so
often in the first place.


From: Nelson Repenning <nelsonr@MIT.EDU>