SOCIETYSYSTEMS ENGINEERING RESOURCES

The System Dynamics Society (SDS) has transformed the Jay Forrester Seminar Series into an online, on-demand course. The original seminar series was conducted by Professor Jay Forrester, the founder of the System Dynamics field, in the fall of 1999 for his Ph.D. students at MIT Sloan School of Management. The SDS has transformed the series into a course, revising the course structure to be self-led and self-paced without guidance from an instructor. The full course consists of 11 mini-courses. An original set of three mini-courses were released in March 2022:

Useful artifacts to improve your SE effectiveness

• What is System Dynamics? (free)

• World Dynamics

• Corporate Growth

Three additional mini-courses were released in December 2022.

• Group Model Building: Professor George Richardson discusses the purpose of Group Model Building, System Dynamics model building stages, and various group roles in the process. (free)

• Nonlinearity: Forrester uses the Superposition Theorem to explain the mathematical difference between linearity and nonlinearity and ground future discussion about the limited applicability of linear equations in System Dynamics.

• Theory Underlying Modeling: Forrester categorizes the various System Dynamics concepts into four general types of System Dynamics theories or principles - Structural, Methodological, Behavioral, and Principles of Good Modeling. Additional courses in development include:

• Confidence in Models

• The National Model

• Ethics in Modeling

• Management Education

• Future of System Dynamics

Mini-courses are free for SDS members and $25 for non-members. The What is System Dynamics and Group Model Building courses are free for everyone.

The mini-courses are delivered via the Thinkific platform and include videos, transcripts, readings, quizzes and discussion features. All the required reading materials are included with the course. Upon course completion, a certificate of completion will be granted to participants who pass all the quizzes and discussions with a 100% score. Access expires after 6 months.

Learn more and register for mini-courses here.

Join the Society and gain free access to the Jay Forrester Seminar Series