6.12 REACTION TO IISD AND SYSTEM DYNAMICS MODELLING

The specific goals of applying IISD include to increasing effectiveness in analytical problem solving through use of systems thinking. This requires that they understand problem solving as a social learning process, where the solution is an emergent property of a group enquiry. This enquiry should be based on systems thinking principles and methodologies, with particular reference to soft systems modelling and systems thinking. This is achieved through the application of a structured methodology (IISD) and powerful computer tools (Decision Explorer™) to this realistic case study.

Observations of those involved in the workshops suggest that participants achieve better results than others who are not so well prepared for a situation where there are multiple stakeholders and multiple or even conflicting objectives, and where the paradigm is one of mutual learning rather than optimisation.