System Archetypes

From WikiSD

Continuing from the System Archetype introduction, there are a number of System Archetypes that have been identified to date [Senge, 1990]. And, as it turns out these System Archetypes may be arranged in an evolving structure from the initial Balancing Loop and Reinforcing Loop with implications of how one typically leads to one or several others.

Fig. 1 provides a depiction of the manner in which the Balancing Loop and Reinforcing Loop can, and are likely to, evidence more complex System Archetypes in play.

Are there more System Archetypes? Probably.

System Archetype Relationships

If you're tyring to fix a problem or achieve a goal then it's a Balancing Loop.

• If the fix overshoots the goal it's a Balancing Loop with Delay.
• If things seem to oscillate endlessly then it's Indecision.
• If the fix creates a problem elsewhere then it's Escalation.
• If over time there is a tendency to settle for less then it's a Drifting Goals.
  • If there is a tendency to let the standard slip then it's Growth and Underinvestment with a Drifting Standard.
• If in time the problem returns then it's a Fixes that Fail.
  • If the underlying cause is not being addressed then it's a Shifting the Burden.
  • If dependence on the fix develops then it's an Addiction.
  • If partners for growth become adversaries then it's Acciddental Adversaries.

If you're trying to promote growth then it's a Reinforcing Loop.

• If growth slows over time it's a Limits to Growth.
  • If limited resources are shared by others it's a Tragedy of the Commons.
  • If there is more than one limit to be addressed then it's Attractiveness.
  • If the limit is insufficient capacity then it's Growth and Underinvestment.
    • If there is a tendency to let the standard slip then it's Growth and Underinvestment with a Drifting Standard.
• If growth leads to decline elsewhere then it's Success to the Successful.
• If partners for growth become adversaries then it's Acciddental Adversaries.

See Also

• System Archetype
• Systems Thinking

References

• Bellinger, G. 2004. Archetypes: Interaction Structures of the Universe
• Bellinger, G. 2008. System Archetypes
• Braun, B. 2002. The System Archetypes
• Gibson, D., Levine, L. & Novak, W. 2006. Using System Archetypes to Identify Failure Patterns in Acquisition
• Goodman, M. & Kleiner, A. 1993. Using the Archetype Family Tree as a Diagnostic Tool, The Systems Thinker 4(10):5-6
• Kim, D. & Virginia Anderson. 1998. System Archetype Basics: From Story to Structure. Pegasus Communications
• Lane, D. C. 1998. Can We Have Confidence in Generic Structures? The Journal of Operational Research Society, Vol. 49, No. 9. (Sep., 1998), pp. 936-947
• Senge, P. 1990. The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of the Learning Organization
• Wolstenholme, E. 2004. Using Generic System Archetypes to Support Thinking and Modeling