Interest in a bank account illustrates the concept of stocks and feedback loops as it shows how changes in one element of a system can affect other elements. In this case, the amount of money in the bank account (the stock) can increase or decrease due to the addition or subtraction of interest (the flow). This change can then affect the behavior of the account holder, who may decide to deposit or withdraw more money based on the new balance. This is a feedback loop as the change in the stock affects the flow, which in turn affects the stock again.

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Thinking in Systems: A Primer

How do you avoid wasted time, money, and resources from short-sighted decisions? When you think in systems, you can learn to recognize the relationshi...

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Stocks are the "foundation" of a system and are the element that you can see, feel, count, or measure. A feedback loop is formed when changes in stock affect the flows into or out of that same stock. A prime example of this concept is interest as it relates to the amount of money in a bank account. Likewise, if you see less money in your account, you might react and take more work and thus the cycle continues.

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System thinking contributes to problem-solving in business by providing a holistic view of the situation or problem at hand. It allows businesses to understand the complex interrelationships and dependencies within their organization and the external environment. This understanding can lead to more effective decision-making, as it takes into account the potential impacts of decisions on all parts of the system. It also helps in identifying the root causes of problems, rather than just treating the symptoms.

There are numerous resources available to learn more about system thinking. Some of the most popular ones include books like 'Thinking in Systems' by Donella Meadows, 'The Fifth Discipline' by Peter Senge, and 'System Thinking in the Public Sector' by John Seddon. Online platforms like Coursera and Udemy also offer courses on system thinking. Additionally, websites like Systems Innovation and The Systems Thinker provide a wealth of articles and resources on the topic.

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