Elicitation of Needs/Resources
The purpose of this script is to elicit a set of resources or needs that will serve as the key stocks in a stock and flow diagram. This script focuses on a situation where the purpose of modeling is not to solve a problem, per se, but rather to understand a system’s resource architecture.
Status
editPromising practice
Primary nature of group task
editDivergent
Time
editPreparation time: 0 minutes
Time required during session: 20 minutes
Follow-up time: 0 minutes
Materials
edit- Markers
- Stacks of plain paper
- Chalk/whiteboard markers
Inputs
editNone
Outputs
edit- List of variables that can be stocks
Roles
edit- Facilitator with moderate expertise in SD and small group facilitation
- Modeler with moderate expertise in SD
- Recorder to document stories
Steps
edit- The facilitator gives each participant sheets of blank paper and markers.
- The facilitator writes a task-focusing question such as, “What are the key variables affecting the process and outcomes of the [project name] project?” on the whiteboard or flipchart.
- The facilitator asks participants to write as many problem-related variables as they can on the sheets of paper. Participants are given a few minutes to work individually on their lists.
- Once they have finished the individual exercise, the facilitator uses the same process used in the "Hopes and Fears" script to put all individual variables on the board. When a variable name is open to several interpretations, the facilitator asks for a brief description or definition of the variable, including the units in which the variable can be measured.
- The facilitator writes the variable name on the board, including any additional information in parenthesis.
- The facilitator asks the participants to prioritize the variables by simple voting mechanisms. Individuals can vote for as many variables as they want. The number of votes for each variable is also written down on the board.
- The facilitator makes a summary of the variables on the board, while the recorder captures the products of the process either photographically or in a word processor.
- The facilitator suggests which variables can be considered stocks as they are mentioned. If the participants agree, the facilitator can add the words “level of” to these variables.
Evaluation Criteria
edit- Participants are able to brainstorm a list of variables with levels.
Authors
editEllis Ballard, Kelsey Werner, and Rahul Chathurvedi
History
editThis script was first developed piloted with the Foundation for Ecological Security in Horsely Hills, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is an adaptation of the Variable Elicitation script of Andersen and Richardson that is oriented toward the Resource Based View that has been elaborated in System Dynamics by John Morecroft, Kim Warren, and others.
Revisions
editNone
References
editMorecroft, J. D. (1997, August). The rise and fall of people express: a dynamic resource-based view. In Proceedings of the 1997 System Dynamics Society Conference. System Dynamics Society, Albany, NY (pp. 579-586).
Notes
editNone