Applications of System Dynamics

[Besbud@aol.com]

Greetings:

As promised I am posting the results of my effort to try understand the
applications of SD modeling: the successes and learning stories.

So far, in going over literature and talking to people, I have encountered
the following quite successful applications of SD modeling and simulation in
solving problems faced by, mostly for-profit, organizations.

Please advise if I missed anything important. Also, please add to this list
because there are a lot of other areas of which most of us are not aware. I
think a comprehensive list should be able to tell a story of the successes
and learnings in applying SD modeling and simulation to solve problems.
Hopefully such an understanding will help us apply the methology better to
solve even more problems.

Regards,
benny budiman
besbud@aol.com (personal)
benbu@powersim.com (business)

1. Reengineering (being phased out-typically includes right sizing, process
reengineering, etc.)
2. Creating most value for a set of investments
3. Developing framework for groupwork on a large construction project
4. Anticipating how to respond to a change in business environment
5. Discovering negotiation objectives
6. Designing organizational structure
7. Designing human resources policies
8. Designing new market opportunity
9. Designing introductory strategy of new products
10. Diversifying stable businesses
11. Evaluating ways to increase throughput
12. Evaluating ways to reduce costs
13. Evaluating ways to manage supply-chain
14. Evaluating ways to improve quality
15. Evaluating efficiency of distribution channels
16. Managing inventory
17. Scheduling and evaluating work performance
18. Evaluating ways to acquire and utilize human resources
19. Evaluating impacts of performance measures and incentives on workforce
productivity
20. Managing resources
21. Managing process
22. Evaluating ways to manage projects
23. Organizational approach to decision making
24. Methodology for policy testing and evaluation
25. Exposure of implicit assumptions of the way an organization operates
26. Understanding the process of innovation and how to do more of it
27. Evaluating the consequences of alternative policies in bidding and
marketing, contract management, program work scheduling, resource
management, and cost forecasting