DOI
ISSN 1104-2877

Summary
System Thinking is a common concept for understanding how causal relationships
and feedbacks work in an everyday problem. Understanding a cause and an effect
enables us to analyse, sort out and explain how changes come about both temporarily
and spatially in common problems. This is referred to as mental modelling, i.e. to
explicitly map the understanding of the problem and making it transparent and
visible for others through Causal Loop Diagrams (CLD). This report will discuss
how to use system thinking and Causal Loop Diagrams as an effective tool in your
study and research.

Relevance for Complex Systems Knowledge
This booklet provides a good introduction to systems thinking, particularly on how to design causal loop diagrams. It provides a brief history on the evolution of system theories and discusses systems thinking as a possible mental model to understand complex issues.
The report introduces the main terminology with easily understandable examples.
It then continues to introduce the student on how to design Causal loop diagrams. and hoe to analyse them. It provides exercises for the student to start doing their own CLDs

Point of Strength
This is an easily accesible introduction to systems thinking that can be used from second year undergraduate students up to Masters students. It can also be used in courses for continuous training.