PurposeTo understand how developments relate to each other.
ApplicationBusiness, political, creative and personal fields.
Supporting cards: Patterns of Change.
Causal loop diagrams – stress testing internal feedback loops
Players 2 to 8
Duration 15 – 60 minutes
Level 4/5
Required knowledge: experience with causal loop diagrams. Requirements: a causal loop diagram.
Steps
- Place your Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) in the center of the table.
- Divide the group into two teams.
- Assign each team a specific loop from the CLD.
- Each team selects relevant STEEP cards that influence the loops so the result is altered (balanced or reinforced).
- Using the Patterns of Change card, identify for each STEEP card the pattern that alters the condition of the loop.
- As a group, discuss the results and share your findings.
Options
- Exchange your results with the other team. Optimise the results or find new possibilities.
- During step 4: add forces from the meso (transactional) environment.
System dynamics – playing with dynamics
Players 2 to 8
Duration 15 – 60 minutes
Level 4/5
Required knowledge: experience with system dynamics. Requirements: a causal loop diagram.
Steps
- Place your Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) in the center of the table.
- First player: select one element of the CLD; select a STEEP card and a pattern of change that alters the element; try to disable/disrupt the system.
- The next player explains the effects on the other elements and writes this on a post-it next to the element.
- In turns, browse the deck to identify cards that could alter other elements so the system is stabilised.
- After stabilising the system, discuss your insights.
Options
- During steps 2 and 4: add forces from the meso (transactional) environment.
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