Books Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World with CD-ROM
Books and Publications Average Rating:

Rating: - Amazing
The definitive book on Business dynamics !
It may look dificult to follow, but it isn`t really easy to read and follow !
The cd brings good examples.

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Rating: - Edward Garrity, Professor of Information Systems
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.

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Rating: - Has it all
I am writing in from India. I have been interested in Systems thinking/ system dynamics for about a year since I read an interesting consulting engagement in Europe that received an award from Management Consultants International (MCI). It's difficult to find a book that shows you the how and why of systems dynamics and its history and relevancy.

Its written by a leader in the field who very well knows what he is writing. The content is clear and has quite some depth for the discerning reader.

It comes with a software. However, unlike another book that I am reading, the sole purpose of this book doesn't seem to be using the software but in helping understand this field as a very good teacher would teach. This book has it all !!!

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Rating: - An Eye Opener
This book was an eye opener for applying systems theory outside of the usual electrical/mechanical engineering presentation. Should be required reading for anyone considering business consulting. One of my personal challenges had been how to use the tools from systems theory appropriately in a business framework and this text provides ample guidance.
It succeeds in maintaining a technical approach while at the same time there is actually very little math for a systems book.
I am only rating 4 stars instead of 5, because I would like to see the relationships between the models in the book and those of traditional control systems engineering related at a more mathematical level (even if only in an extended appendix). It is obvious the author has made the connections but he keeps much of the math hidden.