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Need help - impact model

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:27 pm
by toddc
Hi,
I've been asked to develop a model that shows the potential impact of several variables on our business.
currency rate
rig count
price of oil
price of natural gas
and several more


I've fiddled with Vensim and SD out of personal interest but I'm a complete beginner in reality. More aware than knowledgeable.

Can someone point me in a direction to help expedite my understanding of how to approach this problem and how to execute building the model?

I have PLE Plus.

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:40 am
by jmu
Hi,
maybe this helps:
http://www.public.asu.edu/~kirkwood/sys ... DIntro.htm

Here you can find some sample models:
http://www.metasd.com/models/index.html#Business


Regards,
jmu

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:47 am
by jmu
What I forgot to mention:
http://www.public.asu.edu/~kirkwood/sysdyn/VenPLE.pdf

This is a short introduction in Vensim PLE

My advise:
Download the molecules from Vensim, install it - you will find a PDF in the installation directory and study it.

Molecules are basicly small models that can be copied / paste (and then interconnected) and used as building blocks for other models. Each molecule is a model for a specific task that we often find in a simulation - or a way as experienced people handle a problem in simulation.

jmu
(also a beginner)

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:44 pm
by toddc
I purchased System Dynamics Modeling by R.G. Cole.
1. It explains the modelling process.
2. It explains how to find errors.
3. It was expensive so it must be a great book:>)

Thank you for the links and your thoughtful response.

ToddC

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:10 pm
by toddc
Originally posted by jmu
What I forgot to mention:
http://www.public.asu.edu/~kirkwood/sysdyn/VenPLE.pdf

This is a short introduction in Vensim PLE

My advise:
Download the molecules from Vensim, install it - you will find a PDF in the installation directory and study it.

Molecules are basicly small models that can be copied / paste (and then interconnected) and used as building blocks for other models. Each molecule is a model for a specific task that we often find in a simulation - or a way as experienced people handle a problem in simulation.

jmu
(also a beginner)
Thank you for the molecule heads up. I did not see this yet.

What book?

Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 11:32 am
by jmu
I cannot find "System Dynamics Modeling by R.G. Cole" at Amazon?" Please give us more details about this book!

Thanks,
jmu

Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 12:19 pm
by bob@vensim.com
It is actually :
System Dynamics Modelling: A PRACTICAL APPROACH by R.G. Coyle

another comprehensive reference is:
Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World with CD-ROM by John Sterman