This book author is De Neila, Meadows. This book is mainly about what system? What are the main components and a variety of typical systems What? What characteristics of the system and how to do systems thinking? and many more. Now I will introduce one by one book by them. I hope readers understand this book. If you feel worth reading, intensive reading may wish to look at the original, I believe it will inspire everyone.
First, what is the system?
The system is a set of interconnected things, over time, interact in a specific behavior, such as a human, cells, molecules and the like. The system may be triggered by an external force, drive, or limit the impact, and influence the way feedback feature of the system is the system of external forces. In the real world, these are often very complex feedback.
Learning Systems Thinking help solve complex problems, develop wise decisions; core skill-building learning organization; promote tissue growth, enhance organizational capability; inspire collective wisdom, accelerate organizational learning. In short, if you want to overcome your flaws inherent in thinking, learning and improving systems thinking, this book will be for you to make an entry from the required reading proficiency.
Second, the components of the system have?
The system is not just a collection of simple things, but a consists of a set of interconnected elements, to achieve an overall goal. Seen from this definition, any system comprises three kinds of constituent elements: Element, connections, or target function. For example a person, a tree, a company is a system. In one system, the connection is critical. For example, each of the interconnected system in the human body, but not alone, but within each system, there is a tight connection between the connection between the tissue to tissue, cell to cell. In the form of connection can be divided into two types, one is the flow of information, but the material flow. Many connected system is to operate through the flow of information. Information the system together, and have a major impact operation of the system. Author speak at length about their own impact on the system of these three aspects, and analyzes the relationship between them, the final conclusion, is the most important element, in fact, connected, most important are the objectives and functions. It is because the goal or function, the system will exhibit a variety of behaviors. Instance, your body will be replaced every few weeks off most of the cells, but it is still your body; university students are constantly flowing each year, professors and administrators will change slowly, but it is still a universities; even replaced all members of the US Congress and General Motors Corp. also remains the same. In short, it does not touch the internal system connection and overall goals, even replace all of the elements of the system will remain unchanged, or only slowly change.
Third, there are two basic systems: One is stock, and the other is feedback control (feedback loop).
The stock is the basis of all systems. The so-called stock, means can be viewed at any time, sensing, counting and measurement system elements. Such as population, number of books, population, temperature and so on. These also include those non-material, such as reputation, character and so on. It comprises two feedback control, one control loop, the second is a reinforcing return ** representative example of the former is gradually cooled to a cup of hot coffee or iced coffee rt slowly warmed to room temperature. This control loop behavior - gradually close to the target set by the system, in nature is very common. For example, the gradual decay of radioactive material, automatic guided missiles, depreciation of fixed assets, or turn on the water reservoirs of water, your body regulate blood glucose concentration, and when you stop into place, will experience similar behavior patterns. You can also find more examples, this world is full of automatic reset control loop. In the system, a control loop is to maintain balance or to achieve a particular target structure, but also the stability and the root causes of resistance to change. The latter is a representative example of compound interest, the increasing interest, a corresponding increase in the principal amount, which in turn leads to increased interest, and so forth. For their own benefit is a virtuous circle, of course, on the assumption that interest rates unchanged situation.
A variety of typical system, what does? Including: single and dual-stock inventory, a typical example of the former is the indoor temperature regulation system, population and other economic systems. The latter is a prime example of the economic system of petroleum fisheries economic system. These systems have a detailed analysis and explanation in the book, where it will not be explained.
We want to remember a very important basic principles of the system: information transmitted by the feedback loop can only affect future behavior, can not change the current behavior of the system immediately. Because the information takes time to pass through a feedback loop, feedback if you make a decision based on the current, it can not be fast enough to send a signal, to correct the current feedback system behavior driven, there must be some delays during this period. So, your decisions can affect future behavior, can not change the current system behavior.
Fourth, the system in the end the United States where is it?
Next, the authors talk about the three main characteristics of the system. They are adaptable, self-organization and hierarchy. ** resilience of the system refers to the ability of their existence and functioning of the system remains in a changing environment. This configuration lends itself to a more complicated system included the ability, referred to as "self-organization" (self-organization), for example, by a single fertilized egg growth, differentiation eventually evolved into a rabbit or a frog person. Level began to evolve from the bottom up, from the local to the overall development, the development of organs from cells and organisms, to personal development team, single-job development to production management. Some of the early settlements of farmers gradually to form a village self-government, which had trade practices between towns and villages. Level of the system shows that the system is evolving bottom-up, on a level purpose is to serve the purpose of lower level. Adaptability, self-organization and hierarchy are three reasons dynamic system to function effectively.
Five, six major obstacle to a clear understanding of the system.
This chapter is mainly about why the dynamic behavior of the system is often unexpected. They are:
1) Do not be confused by the appearance.
2) in the non-linear world, do not use the linear mode of thinking. Instance, with the increase in highway traffic flow, vehicle density from zero growth to a certain limit, vehicle speed will be slightly affected. However, after another over the limit, as long as the car amassing a slight increase in density, vehicle speed will be significantly reduced. After the formation of traffic jams, cars speed down to zero.
3), proper demarcation. The so-called border, only artificial distinction, is for people to observe, think, understand the needs of expression, communication and so on, and in the psychological or social generally accepted set of virtual borders. If the boundary delimitation too close, several factors have a significant impact on the system behavior is not serious analysis and treatment, the system may make you produce unexpected behavior. You want to solve urban traffic congestion, without taking into account the people's living, lifestyle, this issue will be difficult to be effectively addressed, some measures may even lead to greater problems.
4), to see the various constraints. As the saying goes: can not make bricks without straw. Without yeast, even if there is no amount of flour, you can not make bread. No matter how many children eat carbohydrates, if lack of protein, the body will not be healthy. Similarly, no matter how many customers, no capital, the company can not operate normally; the contrary, more capital, if not the customer, the company's operations also unsustainable. Therefore, fundamentally speaking, the key is not the pursuit of sustainable growth, choosing instead to restrictions under which factors of survival. If your company can produce at affordable prices of some attractive products or services, orders will come in great numbers, until you can not cope with the emergence of some flaws or limitations, reduces the degree of perfection of the product, or to improve its price.
5), the time delay ubiquitous. When we try to create a new thing, we have to learn to wait. We must patiently sowing full, well-watered land, so that their own seeds germinate, grow, it takes time. You can not fool a plant, you can not fool even more history. Whether it is the growth of plants, shaded forests, or the development of democracy, will take time. Again, you put in the mail the letter to reach the destination, it takes time;
6), bounded rationality. The world presented to us more reality is that people tend to rationally from their own short-term best interests, but each person's behavior pooled result is that everyone wants to see. Tourists from all over the world flock to Waikiki Beach in Hawaii or Switzerland Valais Zermatt glacier, began to complain that these places have been destroyed many tourists. Bounded rationality means that people will be based on the information at its disposal to develop rational decisions, but as people grasp the information is usually limited, incomplete, especially for the part of the system far apart or are not familiar with, which led them the decision is often not the best overall.
Sixth, a clear understanding of the system's eight traps.
1), the policy of resistance. In a system having a "policy resistance", a plurality of different target participants. If any party to the attitude of some concession or relaxation, other parties will put the system to the direction of pull closer to their goals, causing the system further away from the target concession party. Therefore, each party had to pay a huge effort to keep the system in the state who do not want to see.
2), tragedy of the commons. In any system, usually they have some shared resources (such as pasture). For those systems prone to "tragedy of the commons" is, the shared resource is not only limited, but also in the excessive use would be a serious erosion and failure. That is, after exceeding a certain limit, the fewer resources, its capacity for self-regeneration of the worse, or more likely scenario is completely destroyed. To pasture, for example, the less grass, the easier animals to eat grass roots; because of the absence of roots, soil easily washed away by rain, becomes more barren, the grass will grow more difficult.
3), the target erosion. Target erosion is a gradual process. If the rapid changes in the system state, usually lead to a significant correction process. However, if the system state is a gradual decline in the rate of change is very slow, not easy to attract attention, or so participants had a psychological paralysis, forget the good state before the system has been maintained, everyone seems unconsciously, naturally to the expectations of the more down lower, less and less effort, actual performance will become increasingly poor performance. For the target erosion, there are two responses: First, regardless of the performance, must maintain an absolute standard; second is to continue to be the target of contrast with the best standards in the past, but not with the worst performance in comparison.
4), competitive upgrade. When the system is in a state of the stock depends on the stock of another state, and tried more than the other, constitutes an enhanced loop, making the system into a competitive upgrade trap, the performance of the arms race, wealth, competition, war of words, sounds or escalation of violence and so on. Due to changes in the competitive upgrade exponentially form, it can very amazing speed results in intensified competition. If you do nothing, this cycle could not continue to develop, the final result will be the one knocked down or lose-lose.
5), the rich get richer: competitive exclusion. If in the system, the winner of the competition will continue to further strengthen its means of winning, thus creating an enhanced loop. If the loop unrestricted afloat, winner-take-all end up losers were eliminated.
6), shift the burden. When faced with a systemic problem, if the solution adopted does not help to solve the underlying fundamental problem, just ease (or hide) the symptoms of the problem, it will have to pass the burden of dependency and addiction conditions. Whether paralysis personal sense of substance, or the potential hidden trouble of policy interventions selected people can not solve the real problem. If you select and implement interventions, leading to the original system of self-adjustment capability atrophy or erosion, it will trigger a devastating enhancement circuit. The system self-adjustment ability worse, we need more interventions; and this will make self-adjustment system becomes worse, have to rely more on external interveners.
7), to circumvent the rules. "There are policies and measures to counter". Any rules or exceptions may be vulnerable, and thus there is the opportunity to circumvent the rules. In other words, although some activities comply with or violate rules on the surface, but in fact did not meet the intent of the rule, and even distort the system. Measures design or redesign rules, get feedback from creative to circumvent the rules of behavior, to play an active role in achieving the original purpose of the rule.
8), dislocation target. System behavior is particularly sensitive to the target of the feedback loop. If the target is defined is inaccurate or incomplete, even if the system faithfully performed all operating rules, the results of its output is not necessarily the people really want. Measures to properly set goals and indicators to reflect the true welfare system. Must be especially careful not to confuse efforts with results, otherwise the system will only output specific efforts, rather than the results you expect.
7, how to change the system?
In the final chapter of the two gives the answer:
1), digital (including changes in various parameters and Changshu) of. For example, interest rates or by birth, to enhance the growth control loop. If the argument is the target system, it is another matter.
2), the physical structure of the system is essential, but they are rarely leverage point, because of changes in the physical structure is usually not easy and slow effect.
3), the time delay is usually not very easy to change. There are many things the development of its internal law, that how long it takes much time you have to spend. You can not accumulate a large capital overnight, the child can not grow up overnight, Destructive Enthusiasm can not accelerate the growth of crops.
4), we began to shift the focus from the physical part of the system to the information and control section, there are more points of leverage in these places. In the control loop system it is widespread. Nature has a very strong balance and the ability to self-evolution, the human body can regulate its own subtle, some important stocks remain within safe boundaries. Such as temperature regulator system is a typical case, it is the stock of the target (room temperature) is maintained at a desired level. In order to improve self-correction capability of the system, we need to enhance the power control loop, the following are some examples: through preventive medicine, exercise and good nutritional supplements to improve the body's ability to overcome the disease; the implementation of comprehensive management, encourage increased natural predators to control pests.
5), the control loop is self-correcting, and enhancing the loop is self-reinforcing. It every once operational, will be able to gain greater power to strengthen their own running direction of the system's behavior towards the original direction faster and faster. For example, more and more people are suffering from the flu, there are more people infected; more newborns, they will grow up to have more children; the more you deposit in the bank, you get interest on the more so that more of your money.
6), lack of information flow is a poor system features one of the most common causes. Increase or restore the information may be a powerful intervention methods, and usually easier than the physical reconstruction of infrastructure systems, and low cost. Because it shows the system configuration information is a high leverage point. It does not involve adjusting the parameters, nor is strengthening or weakening of existing feedback loop. It is a new circuit, so that people can get feedback in place before the lack of information.
7) system rule: motivation, punishment and restrictions. For example, the laws of physics (such as the second law of thermodynamics) are some of the absolute rule, that is, whether we like them or understand, they all work. Law, penalties, incentives and informal social conventions are some of the man-made rules, in order to reduce the strength.
8), self-organizing to change the system. Self-organization is a form of expression system has the highest resilience. A self-evolving system that can change itself to adapt to change in order to survive. "Self-organization" means that the system can change any aspect of its own, including increased new physical structure (such as the brain, wings or computer, etc.), adding new or enhanced control loop circuit, or new rules. Complex scientific research shows that, by computer simulation, but a set of very simple rules, we can derive very complicated, surprising pattern. DNA carries the genetic code is the basis of all biological evolution, it is only by the four different letters, letter combinations into each of three different words. This model and its rules replication and recombination, for some species, it kept unchanged for 30 million years, but in the long process of evolution, the emergence of a variant of self-evolution of biological unimaginable, some very successful , while others have failed.
9), the purpose and function of the system changes. We mentioned earlier a single cycle of the example shows, the majority of the control loop in the system has its own goal - to keep the bath water, maintain proper indoor temperature, to maintain adequate inventory to maintain a sufficient amount of water . For example, if you want the room warmer some of you will go to adjust the air conditioning knob, set it to the appropriate temperature. However, for those more complex overall system, it also has a larger, but more obvious high leverage target.
10), have become the paradigm system is a system of roots. Rooted in these paradigms, resulting in a target system and the flow of information, feedback, a variety of stocks and flows, as well as everything in the system. Target system, structure, rules, time delays and various parameters are directly affected by the paradigm. Whether Copernicus and Kepler found that the Earth is not the center of the universe, or Einstein demonstrated that matter and energy are convertible, or Adam Smith proposed the "selfish behavior of a single market in the main pooled, but surprisingly, real estate can give birth to the collective welfare ", all interventions at the level of paradigms or promote change people, have had enormous leverage, and change the system fundamentally.
11), compared to a paradigm shift, on a higher level, there is another point of leverage, that is, free themselves from the control of any paradigm, maintain flexibility, not aware of the paradigm is the "real". Everyone has great limitations in terms of understanding the world, this world is too big, too complex, far beyond our human comprehension and cognitive range. Each of us is almost always controlled paradigm, so many possibilities to turn a blind eye every thing, paranoid end, assume that only their view is right, the other views are wrong or ridiculous, and quickly other opposition views, in their own way to look farther and farther. However, in the realm of "empty" where there is no power and control, no decision, even without reason exists, and no unnecessary as, deep down not attached to a certain belief. Although this may seem mysterious realm, but in fact, accept the point of view of each person, whether it is temporary or long-term basis will find it will be completely put down. If there is no paradigm or worldview is correct, in order to achieve your goals, you can choose any suitable means. If you do not have any idea of how to achieve their goals, you can carefully observe the operations of nature, listening to the sound of the universe.
12), the system to keep up with the beat. Before you want in any way to interfere with the system, we must first see how it works. If it is a piece of music, or some rapids is some volatility in commodity prices, it is necessary to study the beat; if it is a social system, it is necessary to see how it works. Research its history, ask those who have long been concerned about its people's opinions, let them tell you what happened. If possible, to find or make a chart showing the time change of the actual situation of the data system - people's memories are not always reliable, especially for relatively distant events.
13), put your mental models to show in the sun. When we draw the system structure diagram, and then write out the equation relationship between variables, thus forcing us to their inner hidden assumptions projected out, and express them accurately. Because we need to maintain the integrity of the model, logical. You can also through language, pictures or lists, arrows, etc., to express your ideas, what an association with some other things, which are included with your mental models. No matter what way you do this the more your mind will become more clear, you acknowledge the uncertainties and correct their own errors faster. In this way, you can learn more and become more flexible.
14), I believe, respect and full sharing of information. If I may, I would like to remind you a little more: you can not distort, delay or withholding information. If you disrupt the flow of information systems, operational systems will be in chaos or madness. On the contrary, if the information to make more timely, accurate and complete, the system will transport better, relaxed and comfortable.
The information flow is mainly composed of language, and people's mental models are mostly expressed through words. So, first of all information respecting the language means avoiding contamination - as clear and accurate use of language; secondly, to find a way to expand our language, to be able to more effectively talk about complexity.
15). If something was difficult to quantify, we tend to ignore it or ignore it, which can lead to imperfect model. In the front, you already know the system common pitfalls, including things around so easily measured to set goals, rather than those really important things. So, do not fall into such a trap. God gave humans the ability to not only count, but also includes the ability to assess quality.
16), pursuit of the overall interests. Remember, the purpose of existence is to serve the hierarchical organization of the bottom rather than the top level. Do not magnify the importance of a system or part of a subsystem, making it superior to the system on the whole, but forget the existence of the whole system. It is guilty of a typical "blinders, but not Tarzan" error. And, as Kenneth Boulding talking about, not because a piece of optimization did not need to do and provoke more trouble. Therefore, to aim at those elements can enhance the overall performance of the system, including the growth, stability, diversity, resilience and sustainability, and do not care whether they are easy to measure.
17), it is the way to learn the test, or the like Buckminster Fuller (Buckminster Fuller) said, by "trial and error" learning. In the world of complex systems, look for a direction, order, courage to charge forward, but not the work, not a wise approach. Even if you believe that your right direction, "persist in the end" it may just be a wishful thinking. You must be resourceful, camera and action.
Author: DQJY
link: https: //www.jianshu.com/p/4f6056858b5b
Source: Jane book
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