System Archetypes

System Archetypes are patterns of behavior of a system. Systems expressed by circles of causality have therefore similar structure. Identifying a system archetype and finding the leverage enables efficient changes in a system.

More info here: http://wwwu.uni-klu.ac.at/gossimit/pap/sd/wb_sysarch.pdf

Ten archetypes are generally acknowledged as forming the set of tools that reveal patterns of behavior in systems.

• LimitsToGrowth (aka LimitsToSuccess?)
• ShiftingTheBurden
• ErodingGoals?
• Escalation
• SuccessToTheSuccessful?
• TragedyOfTheCommons
• FixesThatFail?
• GrowthAndUnderinvestment?
• AccidentalAdversaries?
• AttractivenessPrinciple?

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TheFifthDiscipline CategoryPattern