Isee systems - Articles About Systems Thinking. Mathematics for dynamic modeling. Mental Model Musings. Math Book. Diana Fisher received her bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Texas, El Paso and her master's degree in mathematics from the University of Montana. A teacher since 1969, she is currently teaching Advanced Algebra, AP Calculus, C++ and Java Programming, and Modeling Dynamic Systems at Wilson High School in Portland, Oregon. In 2011, the System Dynamics Society presented Diana with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her work bringing system dynamics to K-12 education. She was just the second recipient in the history of the System Dynamics Society to receive this prestigious award. She has presented at the International System Dynamics Conference since 1994, presenting plenary papers in 1998, 2000 and 2003.
In 1995 she received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching for the state of Oregon. Diana published Lessons in Mathematics: A Dynamic Approach in 2001 and Modeling Dynamic Systems: Lessons for a First Course in 2005. Exponential Growth and Decay. Exponential Growth and Decay In July 2002, National Geographic ran an article about the problems that faces with its ever-growing amount of nuclear waste. Currently the has over 77,000 tons of waste. Environmentalists talk about how the radioactive material will be dangerous for thousands of years because of its long half-life.
In fact, it will take 240,000 years for plutonium 239 to become safe! When scientists talk about half-life, they are referring to how long it will take for half of a sample to decay. In the case of nuclear waste, it refers to how long it takes for half of the radioactive material to turn into lead. Exponential growth is very similar, but deals with, you guessed it, growth, instead of decay. Obviously exponential growth, or decay for that matter, cannot continue indefinitely. The mathematics behind exponential growth and decay is rather simple. The formula for exponential decay is exactly the same, except the k value is negative instead of positive.
Example 1: U.S. Department of Energy's Introduction to System Dynamics. Logistic Growth. Project Systems. Distinguishing Fact from Fantasy A common mental model relative to software reliability is ... "Yes, we could design highly reliable software. The problem is we can't afford it. It will take too long and cost too much. Our most important priority is to get the product to market.
Based on each of our own personal experiences, this really does make sense. What if designing reliable software is actually less expensive at an organizational level than designing lower quality software? If producing higher quality software does result in higher overall organizational productivity, this would change the entire approach our organizations take in producing software. Such a model might be: "Yes, we design highly reliable software because we can't afford to not do so.
The end result desired based on both of these world views is the same. Systems Thinking and Software Project Management Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Overtime and Overtime Cost have a couple more influences. Making Connections. Linda Booth Sweeney > Working with Systems. Given the complex and highly interdependent nature of most work settings, even the most brilliant leaders can benefit from opportunities to reflect on and more effectively work with the systemic nature of their professional and personal environments.
Dr. Booth Sweeney works with organizational leaders, educators, and students to custom design programs that foster systems thinking capabilities in themselves and in their organizations. For Organizational Leaders and Teams Introduction to Systems Thinking: Experiential introduction to the principles of living systems and the fundamental concepts and tools of systems thinking. Leadership Development: Sequenced, long-term programs geared to helping leaders develop their own personal insights about the nature of the complex and interdependent world around them and to helping others achieve these insights as well. Making Systems Visible: Beginner to advanced workshops and seminars focused on methods and tools for making systems visible. Leverage Points Blog.