ROCKEFELLER COLLEGE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND POLICY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY
SYSTEMS THINKING IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR
Reading List (last revised 2/99)
SI: System Dynamics Review Special Issue (on reserve)
P: Readings in packet (also on reserve)
R: Readings on reserve
T: Text (also on reserve)
Substantive Readings
[SI] Ackoff, Russell L. "Systems thinking and thinking systems", System Dynamics Review (Special
Issue on Systems Thinkers, Systems Thinking), Volume 10, No. 2-3 (Summer-Fall, 1994) pp. 175-188.
[P] Alfeld, Louis E. "The System Dynamics Modeling Methodology." Decision Dynamics, Inc. Web
site (1994).
[P] Andersen, David F., Terrence A. Maxwell, George P. Richardson, & Thomas R. Stewart. "Mental
models and dynamic decision making in a simulation of welfare reform." Proceedings of the 1994
International System Dynamics Conference, Stirling, Scotland, July 11-15. Vol.: Social and Public
Policy, pp. 11-28.
[P] Andersen, David F. & George P. Richardson. "Scripts for group model building." System Dynamics
Review.
[P] Andersen, David F. and Rohrbaugh, John. "Some conceptual and technical problems in integrating
models of judgment with simulation models." IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics
22(1)21-34 (Jan/Feb. 1992).
[P] Barbour, John. “BURROS: Beasts of Burden have become Burden of Beasts in U.S. deserts and
parks.” International Herald Tribune, March 29-30, 1980.
[T] Bryson, John M. Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations: A guide to
Strengthening and Sustaining Organizational Achievement. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, 1988.
[P] Campbell, Andrew and Alexander, Marcus. "What's Wrong with Strategy?." Harvard Business
Review (November/December 1997) pp 42-51.
[SI] Checkland, Peter B. and Haynes, Michael G. Varieties of systems thinking: the case of soft
systems methodology", System Dynamics Review (Special Issue on Systems Thinkers, Systems Thinking),
Volume 10, No. 2-3 (Summer-Fall, 1994) pp. 189-198.
[T] Eden, Colin, Fran Ackermann. Making Strategy: The Journey of Strategic Management. Sage,
London, 1998.
[P] Eden, Colin. "Cognitive mapping and problem structuring for system dynamics model building",
System Dynamics Review (Special Issue on Systems Thinkers, Systems Thinking), Volume 10, No. 2-3
(Summer-Fall, 1994) pp. 257-276.
[SI] Espejo, Raul. "What is systemic thinking?", System Dynamics Review (Special Issue on Systems
Thinkers, Systems Thinking), Volume 10, No. 2-3 (Summer-Fall, 1994) pp. 199-212.
[SI] Flood, Robert L. "I keep six honest serving men: they taught me all I knew", System Dynamics
Review (Special Issue on Systems Thinkers, Systems Thinking), Volume 10, No. 2-3 (Summer-Fall,
1994) pp. 231-244.
[P] Forrester, Jay W. "System dynamics, systems thinking, and soft OR", System Dynamics Review
(Special Issue on Systems Thinkers, Systems Thinking), Volume 10, No. 2-3 (Summer-Fall, 1994) pp.
245-256.
[SI] Jackson, Mike C. "Critical systems thinking: beyond the fragments", System Dynamics Review
(Special Issue on Systems Thinkers, Systems Thinking), Volume 10, No. 2-3 (Summer-Fall, 1994) pp.
213-231.
[P] Kim, Daniel H. and Senge, Peter M. "Putting systems thinking into practice", System Dynamics
Review (Special Issue on Systems Thinkers, Systems Thinking), Volume 10, No. 2-3 (Summer-Fall,
1994) pp. 277-291.
[SI] Lane, David C. "With little help from our friends: how system dynamics and soft OR can learn
from each other", System Dynamics Review (Special Issue on Systems Thinkers, Systems Thinking),
Volume 10, No. 2-3 (Summer-Fall, 1994) pp. 101-134.
[P] Meadows, Donella H. “Whole earth models & systems”, The CoEvolution Quarterly, Summer 1982,
pp. 98-108.
Pegasus Communications, The Systems Thinker, Various Volumes and Issues. In particular: Fall 98,
The Organizational Learning Resource Library. Catalog of Pegasus Communications Materials.
<www.pegasuscom.com> (Catalog is on reserve.)
[SI] Peterson, David W. and Eberlein, Robert L. "Reality check: a bridge between systems thinking
and system dynamics", System Dynamics Review (Special Issue on Systems Thinkers, Systems Thinking),
Volume 10, No. 2-3 (Summer-Fall, 1994) pp. 159-174.
[R] Ramsey, Philip. Billibonk and the Thorn Patch. Pegasus Communications, Cambridge MA, 1997.
Richardson, George P. Feedback Thought. [monograph]
Richardson, George P. & Jack Pugh. Introduction to System Dynamics Modeling Using DYNAMO.
[monograph]
[P] Richardson, George P., David F. Andersen, Terrence A. Maxwell & Thomas R. Stewart.
"Foundations of Mental Model Research." Proceedings of the 1994 International System Dynamics
Conference. Stirling, Scotland, July 11-15. Vol.: Problem-Solving Methodologies, pp. 181-192.
[P] Richardson, George P., David F. Andersen. “Teamwork in Group Model Building”, System
Dynamics Review, Vol.11, No.2, pp.113-137.
[SI] Richardson, George P. "Introduction: Systems thinkers, systems thinking", System Dynamics
Review (Special Issue on Systems Thinkers, Systems Thinking), Volume 10, No. 2-3 (Summer-Fall,
1994) PP 95-100.
[P] Richardson, George P. "Definition of System Dynamics," Encyclopedia of Operations Research and
Management Science (1996)
[P] Richmond, Barry, "Systems thinking: critical systems thinking skills for the 1990s and beyond,
System Dynamics Review, Vol. 9, No. 2. pp. 113-133.
[SI] Richmond, Barry. "Systems thinking/system dynamics: let's just get on with it", System Dynamics
Review (Special Issue on Systems Thinkers, Systems Thinking), Volume 10, No. 2-3 (Summer-Fall,
1994) pp. 135-158.
Roberts, Nancy and Others Introduction to Computer Simulation. [monograph]
[R] Rohrbaugh, John W., David F. Andersen, George P. Richardson & Aldo Zagonel-Santos. "Group
Model Building for Social Services in Cortland County." Unpublished report, February 11, 1997, 11 pp.
[T] Senge, Peter M. The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of the Learning Organization.
Doubleday, New York, 1990.
[P] Sengupta, Kishore & Tarek K. Abdel-Hamid. "Alternative conceptions of feedback in dynamic
decision environments: An experimental investigation." Management Science 39(4)411-428 (April
1993).
[P] Sterman, John D. "Learning in and about complex systems", System Dynamics Review (Special
Issue on Systems Thinkers, Systems Thinking), Volume 10, No. 2-3 (Summer-Fall, 1994) pp. 291-330.
[R] Vicente, Kim. "Improving dynamic decision making in complex systems through ecological
interface design: A research overview", System Dynamics Review Vol. 12, No 4 (Winter 1996), pp. 251280.
Experiential Exercises
[P] Andersen, David F. and Richardson, George P. "Designing a TANF Program for Chugwa County",
unpublished case study.
[P] Andersen, David F. and Richardson, George P. "Managing Rapid Growth in the Governor's Office
of Regulatory Assistance", unpublished case study.
[P] Andersen, David F. and Richardson, George P., "Thinking Through the Impact of Revised State Aid
to Education Policies in the State of Goodwill", unpublished case study.
Fishbanks ***
Sterman, John D., People's express flight simulator. ***
System Dynamics Society, The Beer Game.***