System Dynamics Applications / 2 / 2.14

2.14 MODULE DESCRIPTIONS

To aid the development of comprehensive functional descriptions, the following are used:

• textual descriptions—textual (and functional) descriptions can only be created with support of comprehensive understanding of system dynamics theory—to this end specific references are made throughout this book to Sterman (2000), which provides comprehensive theoretical explanations and examples;
• causal loop diagrams (Appendix A– which describes the conventions used in causal loop diagramming, how to build them, and provides a number of examples);
• stock-and-flow diagrams, augmented as needed with causal loop diagrams to form hybrid diagrams (Appendix B—which describes the conventions used in causal loop diagramming, how to build them, and provides a number of examples);
• influence diagrams (Appendix C—which describes the conventions used in causal loop diagramming, how to build them, and provides a number of examples);
• possible applications for each module are explained (these are provided with the descriptions of each of the modules at Appendix F);
• examples of module use and whole models are provided (these are provided in the various chapters and with the descriptions of each of the modules at Appendix F); and
• definitive (objective) tests, designed to demonstrate that the module works as intended, are specified (these are provided in the various chapters and, particularly, in Chapter 6).