Looking for good examples

["William H. Cutler" <72734.3452@]

To the System Dynamics Community,

I am developing educational material to teach what I call *System Process* to
lay people in government and public action groups. The purpose is to enable
them to create effective solutions to *complex unprecedented system* problems.
(Definitions of terms in ** to follow).

I AM LOOKING FOR GOOD EXAMPLES OF PROBLEMS of this sort, in the public policy
area, which have been well solved using systems techniques, which could not have
been well solved otherwise. Applications in urban planning, transportation,
education, social services, environmental management, economic policy, etc. are
the sort of thing Im looking for. I see plenty of examples in the news where
the problem is being bungled, but can count on one finger the examples I know of
where it has worked well.

Definitions:

Complex unprecedented system (term coined by Eberhardt Rechtin at Univ. of So.
Cal.):
a. A real understanding of the number and variety of parts of the system, and
their interrelationships, exceeds normal unaided cognitive capabilities.
b. No comparable system exists which may be copied to provide an effective
solution.

System Process (my term, Im looking for a better one):
The set of process steps, carried out more or less in sequence, by a team of
people working collaboratively, to understand and improve performance of an
existing system, or create a new one for some purpose.

1. Create a comprehensive set of statements of the interests of all
stakeholders in the outcome that is produced by operation of the system.

2. Create a functional description of the system in terms of (a) its mission or
goals, (b) the set of objectives (measurable results), arranged hierarchically,
which the system must achieve to fulfil its mission, (c) the functions, arranged
in a hierarchy of functional networks, which the system must execute to perform
its objectives, (d) the requirements and constraints which quantify how well the
system must perform its functions and the limits within which it operates, (e)
any features of the system architecture which are pre-determined for any reason,
and (f) any supporting information.

3. Set up a process for creating and searching a design space within which the
best system design is expected to be found.

4. Set up an evaluation process, consisting of selection criteria (meet all
requirements with acceptable risk, within available time and resources, plus
others as determined by stakeholders), and evaluation methods. The evaluation
methods can include SD modeling.

5. Create a number of optional solutions and evaluate them. Discard the obvious
loosers. Hybridize and optimize the better contenders until further improvement
becomes marginally useful. Examine the leading contender for unique failings
and risk. If its OK, go with it.

Expectantly,
Bill Cutler
4114 Park Blvd.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
415-493-8715
72734.3452@compuserve.com

[kazik@udlapvms.pue.udlap.mx (KAZ]

BILL,
YOUR QUESTION ABOUT GOOD EXAMPLES OF DYNAMICS MODELING IN PUBLIC POLICY AND=
MANAGEMENT WAS VERY INTRIGUING TO US, AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE=
AMERICAS-PUEBLA (MEXICO). SINCE QUITE A LONG TIME WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN=
PUBLIC MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS GIVEN TO PUBLIC DECISION MAKERS=
AND WE ALSO HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR THE SORT OF MATERIAL YOU ARE ASKING FOR.=
IT SEEMS THAT WE ALREADY PASSED THAT STAGE OF THE WORK AND OUR CONCLUSION=
IS THAT IT IS MUCH BETTER TO WORK OUT SUCH EXAMPLES WITH THOSE TEACHING=
THEM HOW TO FISH INSTEAD OF SERVING READY-TO-EAT FISH. IF YOU ARE=
INTERESTED I CAN SEND YOU SOME BRIEF NOTES ON THESE SEMINARS METHODOLOGY,=
TOPICS, AND OTHER DETAILS.
PRESENTLY WE WORK ON REAL PROBLEM OF THE CITY CHOLULA (FIRST HUMAN=
ESTABLISHMENT IN MESOAMERICA THAT HAS RESISTED FOR YEARS ATTEMPTS TO BE=
CONVERTED INTO AN INDUSTRIAL CENTER). I CAN MENTION HERE EMPLOYMENT=
PROBLEM, CITY PROFILE (INDUSTRIAL, RESIDENTIAL, AGRICULTURAL, OR SOMETHING=
ELSE?), PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, SCHOOLING (SPECIALLY SCHOOL DESERTION),=
ECOLOGY OF SMALL MANUFACTURING FIRMS...

IF INTERESTED KEEP IN TOUCH. BEST REGARDS,


DR. K. ROMAN SLIWA, PROFFESOR A.P. 100, STA.CATARINA MARTIR
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION 72820 PUEBLA, PUE., MEXICO
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE AMERICAS - PUEBLA PHONE:(52-22)292-466(BUSINESS)
E-MAIL: KAZIK@UDLAPVMS.PUE.UDLAP.MX (52-22) 292-814(RESIDENCE)