The Past is Prologue : Reflections on 40-Plus Years of System Dynamics Modeling Practice

What lessons might a body of work recognized for “Lifetime Achievements” offer to a new generation of system dynamics modelers? In what areas are future contributions of system dynamics most needed and likely to have the greatest impact? My life goals have been the design of effective public policy systems and the remediation of ineffective ones. Searching for a practice – an “engineering” or “curative” discipline that would facilitate the attainment of those goals led me to system dynamics modeling. A chronicling of three projects focusing, respectively, on global modeling, conflict-development linkages, and Singapore's improbable resilience, illustrate system dynamics modeling principles, applications and lessons learned. China represents an important new frontier for system dynamics modeling and modelers to contribute to the survival and well-being of the human species