System dynamics and microworlds for policymakers

Morecroft, John D. W.

doi:10.1016/0377-2217(88)90221-4

Cited by 166 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…This understanding of a system structure requires a focus on the system as a whole, and it is argued that a holistic system understanding is a necessary condition for the effective learning and management of complex systems, as well as consensus building. Additionally, systems modelling and simulation support policy analysis and evaluation ( Morecroft, 1988).…”

Section: Dynamic Systems Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

A conceptual framework for energy technology sustainability assessment

Musango¹,

Brent²

2011

Energy for Sustainable Development

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Section: Dynamic Systems Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

A conceptual framework for energy technology sustainability assessment

Musango¹,

Brent²

2011

Energy for Sustainable Development

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“…Since ADI's initial efforts, several techniques have been proposed to address these problems. These include concept engineering (Burchill 1993), quality function deployment (Hauser and Clausing 1988), Hoshin planning (Shiba, Walden and Graham 1993), soft systems methods such as cognitive mapping (Checkland 1981, Eden, Jones, D-4390 and Sims 1983, Wolstenholme 1990), and simulation and gaming (Carroll, Marcus and Sterman 1993, de Geus 1988, Morecroft 1988, Morecroft and Sterman 1992, Senge and Sterman 1991.…”

Section: Implications and Further Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unanticipated Side Effects of Successful Quality Programs: Exploring a Paradox of Organizational Improvement

1997

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Recent evidence suggests the connection between quality improvement and financial results may be weak. Consider the case of Analog Devices, Inc., a leading manufacturer of integrated circuits. Analog's TQM program included top management commitment and excellent training. Analog introduced a "Balanced Scorecard" emphasizing nonfinancial measures such as delivery performance, cycle time, wafer yield, and product development time to supplement the traditional managerial accounting system. The TQM program was a dramatic success. Yield doubled, cycle time was cut in half, and product defects fell by a factor of ten. However, Analog's financial performance worsened. To explore the apparent paradox we develop a detailed simulation model of Analog, including operations, financial and cost accounting, product development, human resources, the competitive environment, and the financial markets. We used econometric estimation, interviews, observation, and archival data to specify and estimate the model. We find that employee-based improvement programs like TQM can present a firm with a tradeoff between short and long run effects. In the long run TQM can increase productivity, raise quality, and lower costs. In the short run, these improvements can interact with prevailing accounting systems and organizational routines to create excess capacity, financial stress, and pressures for layoffs that undercut commitment to continuous improvement. We explore policies to integrate improvement programs like TQM with the dynamics of the firm as a whole to promote sustained improvement in financial as well as nonfinancial measures of performance.

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“…However, experience with process simulation as a means for software project management education and training has rarely been published [6,19,23] although the potential of simulation models for the training of managers has long been recognised [8,20,21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the learning effectiveness of using simulations in software project management education: results from a twice replicated experiment

Pfahl

Laitenberger²,

Ruhe

et al. 2004

Information and Software Technology

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The increasing demand for software project managers in industry requires strategies for the development of management-related knowledge and skills of the current and future software workforce. Although several educational approaches help to develop the necessary skills in a university setting, few empirical studies are currently available to characterise and compare their effects.This paper presents the results of a twice replicated experiment that evaluates the learning effectiveness of using a process simulation model for educating computer science students in software project management. While the experimental group applied a System Dynamics simulation model, the control group used the well-known COCOMO model as a predictive tool for project planning.The results of each empirical study indicate that students using the simulation model gain a better understanding about typical behaviour patterns of software development projects. The combination of the results from the initial experiment and the two replications with metaanalysis techniques corroborates this finding. Additional analysis shows that the observed effect can mainly be attributed to the use of the simulation model in combination with a web-based role-play scenario. This finding is strongly supported by information gathered from the debriefing questionnaires of subjects in the experimental group. They consistently rated the simulation-based role-play scenario as a very useful approach for learning about issues in software project management. q

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System dynamics and microworlds for policymakers

Cited by 166 publications

References 16 publications

A conceptual framework for energy technology sustainability assessment

A conceptual framework for energy technology sustainability assessment

Unanticipated Side Effects of Successful Quality Programs: Exploring a Paradox of Organizational Improvement

Evaluating the learning effectiveness of using simulations in software project management education: results from a twice replicated experiment

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