excellent rare find
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This book is unique in providing a bridge between the literature concerning systems analysis techniques as used mostly by techies and soft management techniques. I have taught both types of courses and know how difficult students find this subject area, complaining of its lack of relevancy and exoteric concepts. This book, with it's feet firmly on the ground, will serve a very useful purpose in breaking this problematic attitude. Complex concepts such as emergence and stability are discussed in a very clear non threatening way - avoiding both jargon and the plethora of diagramming techniques that are so commonly introduced inappropriately a this stage. The low cost of the book is another reason for recommending it to students. Unfortunately I feel that it will not be widely used by the people who must need it - computing undergraduates - because of it's title however, hopefully a few lecturers may come across it and realise, like me, it's importance. For once we have the opportunity to introduce real understanding rather than just the learning of a specific technique.
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Real life systems dynamics
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The other reviewer is a bit harsh in saying that this book uses 'trivial' examples of systems thinking - debt, weight loss, health, relationships, these are all relevant and the lessons learned in our personal lives are directly applicable to our business lives. The examples are illustrations of what are normally known as 'systems archetypes', and are a good way to introduce these patterns which recur on a micro and macro level in all our lives. The book aims to take a real life approach for the average person, and to enable them to think about their life in a new way. Personally, I found the book a little disjointed. Other than that though, the book is a good handbook - certainly as good as any other - to many different applications of system dynamics.
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Easy reading, but light
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The Art of Systems Thinking is a very easy read and a gentle introduction to the concepts of system thinking as advocated by Senge et al. However it does tend towards fairly trivial examples and in my view could have used a more systemic approach to its structure. As a communications engineer I found myself comparing a lot with control theory which is alluded to, and found the comparison lacking. The examples didnt really apply to business use but in the softer area of 'self help'. Overall a nice safe read, an introduction to the subject for someone who may take things further, but isn't commited enough to tackle to 'The Fifth Discipline' yet.
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