When one undertakes to create a model there are a number of guidelines that are considered essential for consideration if there is to be a success with the model.
A system is an entity that the existence of which is maintained via the mutual interaction of its parts and which demonstrates characteristics not exhibited by any of its parts.
A random walk demonstration using an ABM. As individuals drink more they become more intoxicated and their walk becomes more random. And when they drink to much it finally kills them.
This model represents an elaboration of the Savings Account model to investigate the implications associated with intending to save money for retirement so an amount may be withdrawn monthly for living expenses.
Based on a dialogue on the System Dynamics mailing list regarding the current level of acceptance of System Dynamics after it has been promoted for over 70 years I dredged up the following set of influences as a thought exercise. This is an example of a Drifting Goals Archetype.
The purpose of this model is to have the user change the value of stocks, flows and converters to experience a variety of different graphical results. Understanding this generic model is important pre-requisite to learning about intravenous drugs in the body, radioactivity, self-esteem, water flowing from a drain and many other basic natural systems.
New Learning tend to reduce Outdated Thinking, Communicating & Learning though our Outdated Thinking, Communicating & Learning inhibits new learning. The question is then how do we break this cycle. Adopted from "An Introduction to Systems Thinking with STELLA" by Barry Richmond.
The Sensitivity Analysis option allows you to develop a sense of the extent to which some part of the model is affected by changes in some other part of the model. I think you'll find the approach to implementing Sensitivity Analysis rather straightforward and powerful at the same time.
There are things we can influence and usually a broader array of things we are concerned about though can't influence. It's important to know the differerence otherwise we waste our energies trying to change things we have no influence over.