The dominoes are the components in the system. In System Dynamics we call these components "Variables".


A variable must be capable of variation ie increasing and decreasing in value.


Usually formulated as nouns or noun-phrases


Need to be very specific....


Q: What variables can you see in this/your room?


Responses: No of chairs, No of people, (things they can see)


Q: What about the things we can't see?


Responses: Temperature, Quantity of Oxygen, Intensity of light etc


Observe that these are things that can be measured objectively by man made instruments.


Q: What about the things inside you?


Responses: Feelings, emotions, motivation


Observe that these have a massive impact on systems. They are the hidden variables which make the difference.


Q: What variables can you see in your simple map (from the morning session)?
NB KT to see maps and identify some....