SYSTEM DYNAMICS MODELLING AND SIMULATION FOR INTELLIGENT ORGANIZATIONS
Syllabus
Updated A.Y. 2022-2023
SYSTEM DYNAMICS MODELLING AND SIMULATION FOR INTELLIGENT ORGANIZATIONS (SYSDYN)
(6 CFU - 36 hours)
TRAINING OBJECTIVES
The course aims to provide students with the theoretical and practical notions for the interpretation and management of complex dynamic systems. At the end of the course the Participants:
KNOWLEDGE:
• will know the spread in the world and possible areas of application of System Dynamics methodology
• will know theoretical and practical elements of System Thinking approach and System Dynamics models
UNDERSTANDING:
• will be able to interpret thought System Thinking approach the complex phenomena observed in reality
• will be able to understand and interpret existing static and dynamic models
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE:
• will learn to build static (System Thinking Maps) and dynamic (System Dynamics Models) models on PC, using for this purpose Vensim PLE software
• will be able to reproduce through System Thinking approach the complex phenomena observed in reality
• will be able to identify the points where the system is sensitive to interventions and test alternative scenarios that emerge with alternative hypotheses (policy design)
MAKING JUDGEMENTS:
• will acquire the ability to reason according System Thinking approach, overcoming the rigid mental patterns and limited rationality that can influence their actions
• will be able to synthesize and simplify complex concepts
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
• will acquire the technical language used by the System Thinking / Dynamics methodologies
LEARNING SKILLS:
• will improve the ability to make decisions in all areas
• will acquire the aptitude for problem solving
During the course participants will deepen the theme of Sustainable Development; in particular, they will be stimulated to interpret with the System Thinking / System Dynamics approach the complex phenomena observed in reality (COVID-19; WAR, PNRR, ..) and the related impacts on the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda.
PROGRAM
The Course is divided into 5 Parts:
PART I – GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
PART II - SYSTEM THINKING
PART III - SYSTEM DYNAMICS
PART IV – APPLICATIONS OF ST/SD METHODOLOGIES - THEORY & EXAMPLES
PART V – APPLICATION OF ST/SD METHODOLOGIES - EXERCISES & DISCUSSION
Teaching methods adopted
The course includes theoretical lectures, PC simulations, short tasks (practical exercises) and a PROJECT WORK requiring a written report, the construction of a simulation model and an oral presentation (see Project Work Format).
Each lesson (2 hour) is generally divided into 3 parts:
- LECTURE (THEORY)
- EXERCISE
- DISCUSSION
Modality: In presence & distance learning. Link to Microsoft Teams classroom: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3a52ee570a7fed4fc48f212166d0ef4675%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=209c59b2-1217-4641-8447-c2fa88caef42&tenantId=24c5be2a-d764-40c5-9975-82d08ae47d0e
Team Code: 937cy62
Attendance is not compulsory, but strongly recommended.
Learning verification methods and criteria
Assessment consists of evaluating a project work. The project work consists of a written report (70% of the final grade) and an oral presentation (30% of the final grade).
Project work includes the exercises carried out during the course (or independently for non-attending students); the Project Work Format is available among the course materials (and it is illustrated in the introductory lesson).
Teaching Materials and Text (for attendant and not attendand studens):
Text: Senge P. (1990), The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization, Doubleday.
All the Slides, Videos and Articles* available on the course Team (uploaded on Microsoft Team).
NB: see “Project Work Format” and “Syllabus” files for details (uploaded on Microsoft Team).