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from Ventana Systems, Inc.

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Resources

Contents
  1. Discussion Forums and Wikis
  2. Books and Tutorials
  3. Models Online
  4. System Dynamics Resources
  5. Ventana Systems UK Ltd. — Sable
  6. International Vensim Distributors
  7. Other Vensim-related Resources

Discussion Forums and Wikis

  • The Vensim/Sable discussion forum is located at www.ventanasystems.co.uk/forum. This forum also contains the archived postings to the System Dynamics Mailing list in a searchable format.
  • The System Dynamics discussion forum is an bulletin board style forum to ask questions, post news and join discussions related to System Dynamics.
  • SystemsWiki is a systems thinking and system dynamics wiki, led by Gene Bellinger
  • There are several active system dynamics and systems thinking groups on LinkedIn

Books and Tutorials

  • Business Dynamics by John Sterman is the definitive system dynamics text, and includes many Vensim models.
  • Erik Pruyt at the Delft University of Technology has written an electronic case book titled “Small System Dynamics Models for BIG Issues”. It can be downloaded for free at simulation.tbm.tudelft.nl/smallSDmodels/Intro.html.
  • Hartmut Bossel’s System Zoo series is an excellent introduction to modeling, particularly in the natural sciences, and includes model listings in Vensim notation. The models are linked here.
  • Modeling the Environment by Andy Ford is a good introduction to models of the natural world and the interface with policy; most models are reproducible or provided in Vensim.
  • Juan Martin Garcia has published the book Theory and Practical Exercises of System Dynamics that introduces system dynamics and provides a number of detailed examples with in Vensim for the construction of models. The book is also available in Spanish.
  • Peter Bützer and Markus Roth have published the book Systemdynamik in Chemie and Biochemie in German that present a variety of models in Chemistry and Biochemistry. For more details on the book and work in general see www.buetzer.info/b-learning/beispiele-aufgaben-uebungen.html.
  • Craig W. Kirkwood at Arizona State University maintains a System Dynamics Resource page with a short tutorial for Vensim PLE (Now updated to Version 5).
  • Pegasus Communications carries most of the classic system dynamics books as well as other media.  These books may not be up on their web site yet — check with them directly.
  • An older but still useful text is Introduction to System Dynamics Modeling with DYNAMO,  by G.P. Richardson and A.L. Pugh (The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1981).
  • System Dynamics is a field that resulted from the pioneering efforts of Jay W. Forrester to apply the engineering principles of feedback and control to social systems. One of the earliest, and still one of the best references in this field is Industrial Dynamics by Jay W. Forrester (The MIT Press,30 Cambridge, MA, 1961).
  • A simpler introduction to System Dynamics along with a number of exercises is Principles of Systems by Jay W. Forrester (The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1968).
  • Another useful resource, containing a number of interesting real world examples is System Enquiry, A System Dynamic Approach by Eric F. Wolstenholme (John Wiley & Sons, New York 1990). This book also gives a brief introduction to what, in this manual, is called policy optimization.
  • A very popular and readable book covering many conceptual issues in thinking systemically about problems is The Fifth Discipline by Peter M. Senge (Doubleday, New York, 1990).
  • An interesting and controversial work, World Dynamics by Jay W. Forrester (The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1971; second edition, 1973) discusses growth in a finite world. This model is supplied with Vensim.

Models Online

In addition to the models provided with the books and tutorials above, the following resources are available:

  • Tom Fiddaman’s model library
  • SystemsWiki model library and distributed repository

System Dynamics Resources

  • The System Dynamics Society is an international nonprofit organization devoted to encouraging the development and use of systems thinking and system dynamics around the world. The Society hosts an annual conference and maintains lists of academic programs and courses, tools and other resources.
  • The MIT System Dynamics in Education project – sysdyn.clexchange.org/ home page features papers and other resources related to system dynamics including the the “Road Maps” self learning series.
  • The Creative Learning Exchange has a large library of information for K-12 learning and teaching.
  • For system dynamics web links, a comprehensive resource is G. Ossimitz’s System Dynamics Mega Link List
  • Tom Fiddaman’s system dynamics and systems thinking links.

Ventana Systems UK Ltd. — Sable

Developed by Ventana Systems UK Ltd., Sable is a programming environment used in creating application interfaces for Vensim, similar to the Venapp builder.  Sable has a number of features which make it unique and useful.  You can program web-based interfaces that run over intranets or the internet.  Learn more about Sable.

International Vensim Distributors

See full listings on the Contacts page.

Other Vensim-related Resources

Juan Martin Garcia is a professor at Universidad Politecnica de Catalunya and offers distcance course (in Spanish) on System Dynamics and Vensim.

Email : jmg@grn.es
Web : www.dinamica-de-sistemas.com

Marek Susta has published Systems Thinking Guide (Pruvodce systemovym myslenim) – in Czech language. The book will guide you through secrets of human perception, cognitive biases and methodology of uncovering systems structure to show importance and beauty of systems approach in solving everyday big and small problems.

Email : info@sciencedynamics.net
Web : www.sciencedynamics.net/index.php/cz/component/content/article?id=193

Antonio Barron in Spain is an avid Vensim user and knowledgeable about many issues in system dynamics. He is happy to share his knowledge. You can contact him at:
barron@teleline.es
Phone: 34 629 13 19 31

L. Gustavo Sala Espiell in Argentina is a system dynamics enthusiast who is keen to spread the concepts of system dynamics and learning organizations through Argentina. He has worked in the petrochemical industry for the past two decades and studied system dynamics through the MIT distance learning program. He gives graduate seminars and teaches postgraduate course at La Plata University and offers public workshops on system dynamics. He can be contacted at:
alas_pies@yahoo.com.ar
Phone: 54 221 484 1379

For German information on Vensim, go to: www.simcon.de/ RBA Consultants have used Vensim to develop a number of Management Decision Support Systems.

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