Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World with CD-ROM

This text is a summary of the wisdom and knowledge gathered over more than twenty years of research dedicated to the study of practical methods for systems thinking and the dynamic modeling of complex systems. It is well written, easy to understand, and worthy of serious consideration.

I believe the text is destined to become a classic. It is written in a straightforward style and does not require prerequisite knowledge of higher mathematics. Indeed, in the author's words, "one of the strengths of the text is the way it presents system dynamics with a minimum of mathematical formalism. The goal is to develop the reader's intuition and conceptual understanding, without sacrificing the rigor of the scientific method." This goal is achieved well.

The text opens with a succinct and well organized description of approaches to the study of complex systems. It develops a set of principles for successful use of systems dynamics and provides well-written overviews of the Modeling Process and dynamic systems.

It covers the construction of causal loop diagrams and describes their application in a variety of business and engineering examples.

This is one of the best texts in its field for upper division undergraduate courses and graduate programs. It will be useful to many in business, engineering, and science.


Best book on SD around   July 2, 2001
15 out of 16 found this review helpful

You won't find a better more informative book. This should be required reading for any consultant interested in solving real world complex business problems. It goes into detail with examples and stories about actual projects that any good management consultant should be capable of tackling.

An outstanding book.


The very best SD book on my book-shelf!   November 15, 2000
GO (Klagenfurt)
21 out of 21 found this review helpful

This book is the ultimate resource for any serious learner of System Dynamics. Sterman covers all aspects of SD modeling in a witty and easy-to-understand- manner. He deals extensively with the foundations of SD modeling, treats extensively causal loop diagramming, the logic of stocks and flows, gives numerous examples of practical SD projects, makes an in-depth investigation into all kind of building blocks of SD models etc. All the models of the book are avaliable on the added CD in the Vensim, Stella and Powersim data formats. Although published just in spring 2000, it is IMHO already a classic. A last word: Business Dynamics is not cheap, but it is worth every cent or penny you spend for it. There may be other good or even excellent SD-textbooks, but "Business Dynamics" is simply outstanding and a category in its own.


Edward Garrity, Professor of Information Systems   January 4, 2007
Edward J. Garrity (Buffalo, New York, USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Sterman's book is far and away the best and most comprehensive book on system dynamics for business. Although the title is "Business Dynamics" it really is a text on applying system dynamics to both business and larger social issues/systems.

If you are a strong student of business and systems then this is the book for you. It is highly recommended if you are interested in learning the most you possibly can regarding system dynamics and how to model systems. However, if you are searching for an introduction to this area - watch out. The book is actually quite advanced - it is used at MIT and other graduate business programs at top universities.

What is amazing about this book is that it blends absolute precision, correctness and detail with practical modeling advice and insight and it is written in a relaxed style with numerous examples. It is one of the best examples of clear writing about a complex topic. Dr. Sterman's years of system work has allowed him a level of clarity that is unsurpassed in the business and systems area.

As mentioned earlier, the book can be overwhelming and I would recommend a newcomer to this area to pick up several books first, to provide a more gentle introduction. This is not a contradiction of what I wrote earlier, it is simply that the book packs so much information in its pages, and it is still very long.

Highly recommended.




Brain Bending!   June 28, 2002
Aaron Kumove
13 out of 17 found this review helpful

5 stars is not enough!

I read an awful lot and most of the books I come across have about 20% of pages that are useful or informative to me if that. The rest tend to be filler. Not this one!! On virtually every page and paragraph in this book I found a gem!

This is one of those rare books that causes your brain to contort itself into shapes and positions that you were not previously aware of. It is also the kind of book that I can see refering to and re-reading many many times.

Sterman takes what can be quite a complex subject and evolves a storyline which is incredibly instructive but at the same time flows quite naturally and easily.

Having said that, while overall this is a very good read, some parts can be mind-numbing and mentally exhausting. I found myself on some occasions needing to rest and reflect after reading just a few pages. It has taken me months to get through this book with appropriate periods of rest and reflection between readings to let the ideas sink in. (That is in great contrast to most text books which I am usually able to get through in a weekend or 2 without great strain.)

While parts of this book have been hard work to get through (due to mental overload at times, not due to poor wriiting), it has been incredibly worthwhile and instructive.

This book has given me some invaluable insights and tools which I have applied professionally to great advantage; not the least of which is competitive advantage.

A tour de force!