Module 2: SAVi System Dynamics Modelling

1. Overview

This module provides an introduction to systems analysis and system dynamics. It illustrates the importance of systems analysis for understanding today’s complex problems and developing infrastructure-related solutions. It then moves on to introduce system dynamics, one of the modelling schools used in the SAVi methodology. The module concludes with information on how the system dynamics models for the different asset types were built.

The module also includes training model files for each asset type. They require using the Vensim software, which can be downloaded for free here.

The module covers the following topics:

2. Objectives

The objectives of this module are to:

  • Introduce systems analysis and system dynamics modelling
  • Illustrate how causal loop diagrams can be designed
  • Provide basic system dynamics training models for each asset type

3. Suggested Background Reading and Videos

Videos on the green economy and the use of system dynamics:

Books and videos on system dynamics:

Vensim (software) tutorials: