Scripts for group model building

Abstract

Building models directly with client groups has become increasingly common in the field of system dynamics. For the past nine years, the modeling group at the University at Albany has been experimenting with techniques handling the complex modeling and facilitation processes involved in group work. This article extends the previously reported work by discussing specific scripted techniques used to implement the group modeling building approach. The authors’ purpose is to initiate a larger discussion of shared scripts and techniques for group model building. The discussion is divided into planning for a group model building conference, scheduling the day, particular scripts and techniques for various group model building tasks, and closing a group modeling conference. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Syst. Dyn. Rev. 13, 107‐129, 1997 (No. of Figures: 4 No. of Tables: 0 No. of Refs: 40) Model building or model refinement working directly with a small group of clients has become increasingly common in the field of system dynamics. Almost ten years ago Jac Vennix (Vennix et al. 1988) described a procedure for involving health care practitioners in the Netherlands in the construction and refinement of a dynamic model of health care, an approach which he has continued to develop (Vennix 1990; 1996). Barry Richmond (1987; 1997) has described the Strategic Forum as a way to involve clients directly in model building and analysis. Many consultants have refined the practice of developing causal loop sketches with direct involvement of client groups to include preliminary model development, refinement, and presentation. Outside the field of system dynamics, other systems thinkers and group decision support experts have similarly developed advanced approaches to working with small groups to support system conceptualization, model formulation, and decision making. Particularly notable is the work of Colin Eden (Eden et al. 1983; Eden 1989; Eden and Ackermann 1992), John Bryson (Bryson and Finn 1995; Bryson 1995), and John Rohrbaugh (see references below). This article suggests that modelers who engage in modeling with groups rely on fairly sophisticated pieces of small group process, which we will call ‘‘scripts.’’ A full multi-day modeling conference consists of a sequence of such scripts placed