Group Model‐Building ‘Scripts’ as a Collaborative Planning Tool

Abstract

Group model building (GMB) is a participatory method for involving stakeholders in the process of developing system dynamics models. GMB has historically consisted of undocumented structured small-group exercises. This paper describes an effort to document GMB scripts called Scriptapedia, and how documented GMB scripts can be used to design more effective GMB sessions that address cultural and ideological barriers to collaboration. A case study of a project to develop a coordinated community response to domestic violence is used to illustrate the use of scripts for planning collaboration. The paper concludes with a discussion of potential limitations of scripts and implications for future research.

Translating research into prevention of high-risk behaviors in the presence of complex systems: definitions and systems frameworks

“…It is an iterative process, where clear boundaries around the system problem under study must be established to focus a given project around the key forces shaping outcomes of interest as well as to inform decision-making about how best to direct change [28,32,33]. Guidance and scripted activities such as those reflected within system dynamics group model building have been developed to ensure stakeholders are meaningfully engaged in system dynamics processes and to guide use of these methods by new teams [34][35][36][37].…”

“…System dynamics includes a rich history of using models to encourage decision makers and stakeholders to think differently about how the world works and the impact their actions and decisions have on it. The full details of this process (which includes formalized and structured group facilitation methods) can be found elsewhere [32,34,36,70,71].…”

Asking Questions: A Sine Qua Non of Facilitation in Decision Support?

“…As said, we consider our typology as a preliminary overview; recognising that a better understanding of the relationships between questioning and outcomes of facilitated modelling is needed, it is likely that the typology will be adapted. So far, the current overview may be useful for novice facilitators to evaluate facilitation practices, and be stored in scripts (Hovmand et al 2012). Furthermore, the typology can be helpful for educational purposes and training of skills (cf.…”

“…In addition, evidence of which process elements work-or do not work-and why, will be of interest for developers of training programmes for novice facilitators. More insight into the facilitated modelling process can be reflected and stored in scripts (Ackermann et al 2010;Hovmand et al 2012): Steps as well as the reason why steps are to be taken in a particular way, can be described more specifically. These insights can support novice facilitators in choosing a design for a session or project.…”

Special issue on problem structuring research and practice

“…Whilst there has already been some progress in determining generalizable process elements, as evidenced through recent work on modelling scripts (Ackermann, Andersen, Eden, & Richardson, 2011;Hovmand et al, 2012;Tavella & Papadopoulos, 2014) and facilitation practices (Azadegan & Kolfschoten, 2012;Taket, 2002;Tavella & Franco, 2014), there has been little consideration as to whether it is possible to derive from model findings generic problem archetypes for problem structuring work in the manner evidenced, for example, by the systems dynamics and decision analysis communities (von Winterfeldt & Fasolo, 2009;Wolstenholme, 2004). Research exploring whether and what motifs or configurations exist within the problem structuring research space would provide valuable help for those embarking upon the use of problem structuring methods, and would also provide interesting insights for further theoretical development.…”