The Qualities of An S-D Modeler
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 1996 10:45 am
A systems dynamics modeling effort at my company (with the fine help of
Jack Homer) has led to an interest in acquiring an in-house modeling
capability. Setting aside for the moment the pros and cons of such a move,
I was asked to indicate the kind of person I thought would make a good
modeler. The characteristics below are the ones that came to me. Id be
very interested in others opinions.
Such a person should be:
bright, that is, alert, attentive, quick, intelligent, and verbally
facile
knowledgeable in general regarding organizations, business, and
systems (of both the "hard" and "soft" variety)
adept mathematically, with particular emphasis on differential and
integral calculus and simultaneous algebraic equations
skilled interpersonally, and well grounded in consulting skills
visual, that is, able to "see" relationships in his or her minds eye,
and to depict them in diagram or schematic form
My initial response regarding the acquisition of the capability has been to
suggest we ought to "buy" it by way of hiring someone, perhaps a
job-hungry-soon-to-graduate-from-MIT-grad-student and not try to develop it
as a result of training a member of our current staff. Opinions on that are
welcome, too.
Regards,
Fred Nickols
Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives
Educational Testing Service
Mail Stop 10-P
Princeton, NJ 08541
fnickols@ets.org
(609) 734-5077 Tel
(609) 734-5115 Fax
Jack Homer) has led to an interest in acquiring an in-house modeling
capability. Setting aside for the moment the pros and cons of such a move,
I was asked to indicate the kind of person I thought would make a good
modeler. The characteristics below are the ones that came to me. Id be
very interested in others opinions.
Such a person should be:
bright, that is, alert, attentive, quick, intelligent, and verbally
facile
knowledgeable in general regarding organizations, business, and
systems (of both the "hard" and "soft" variety)
adept mathematically, with particular emphasis on differential and
integral calculus and simultaneous algebraic equations
skilled interpersonally, and well grounded in consulting skills
visual, that is, able to "see" relationships in his or her minds eye,
and to depict them in diagram or schematic form
My initial response regarding the acquisition of the capability has been to
suggest we ought to "buy" it by way of hiring someone, perhaps a
job-hungry-soon-to-graduate-from-MIT-grad-student and not try to develop it
as a result of training a member of our current staff. Opinions on that are
welcome, too.
Regards,
Fred Nickols
Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives
Educational Testing Service
Mail Stop 10-P
Princeton, NJ 08541
fnickols@ets.org
(609) 734-5077 Tel
(609) 734-5115 Fax