A Systems Approach to Modeling Community Development Projects (Sustainable Structural Systems Collection)

Synopsis

System Dynamics Modeling of Community Development Projects will introduce the reader to system dynamic tools to better understand how to account for uncertainty and complexity when conducting development-engineering projects. All communities, whether in the developed and developing world, are characterized by their dynamic behavior (change over time), involve multiple players with various interests, have members that interact with each other, and interact with other groups. Since such characteristics cannot be measured using linear and predictable tools, the author aims to demonstrate how systems thinking can be used in development projects. Specifically, how four emergent properties: sustainability, resilience, peace, and poverty could be simulated using existing systems tools. Many traditional projects in developing communities fail after implementation as a result of a lack of innovation, and foresight. These projects have traditionally been designed, planned and implemented in a specialized, compartmentalized and linear manner by multiple experts, who have failed to view all aspects of the problem they’re trying to solve. Dr. Amadei will demonstrate how systems tools can be used to model emergent properties specific to developing communities, and show how the tools can be integrated into the design and implementation of engineering solutions to these problems. The book will introduce the reader to the fundamentals of systems thinking and the various tools that are already available to model complex systems. Readers will learn how to use system dynamics tools to create system models. Systems Dynamics is then integrated into a framework for development projects, and various models are explored. Decisions on project intervention, monitoring and evaluation, and scaling-up can be explored, once an engineer learns to consider the complexity and uncertainty within the communities being targeted. System Dynamics Modeling of Community Development Projects is intended for engineers, students and professionals interested in small-scale human development projects, whether they reside in developed or developing countries.