Overview

This is a great opportunity for iThink and STELLA users from business, education, research and consulting to:

• share Systems Thinking experience,
• learn new skills and tricks,
• meet experts in the field,
• try out new ideas for models and simulations, and
• get a sneak peek into the future of isee systems products and training.

The two days will be filled with keynote addresses by Systems Thinking leaders, iThink and STELLA application stories and case studies, field-specific round tables, poster sessions, and time for networking and open discussion.

The conference will wrap up with a late afternoon cruise on Lake Champlain, Friday from 4:00 – 5:30 pm.

You may want to stay and enjoy Vermont’s fall foliage and the gorgeous Lake Champlain region. The Sheraton will extend your conference rates through the weekend.
 

Program Agenda

We’re currently planning and setting the agenda for the conference. We’ve lined up several keynote speakers and isee partners for presentations, panel discussions, round table discussions and poster presentations.

Our keynote speakers include:

Mark Paich is widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost experts on the dynamic modeling methodology. Mark is a proven analyst and instructor and has published work in numerous journals and books including Management Science, Sloan Management Review and John Sterman’s Business Dynamics. In 2002, Mark’s work with General Motors was awarded 2^nd place in the Edelman Competition for best work in operations research and management science.
Mark will be sharing his stories about using models to effect organizational change.

Andrew Ford is Professor of Environmental Science at Washington State University where he teaches system dynamics modeling with an emphasis on environmental problems in the west. He is author of Modeling the Environment (Island Press 1999) and is currently using system dynamics to reveal the rapid reduction in carbon dioxide emissions that could be achieved when the nation puts a price on carbon emissions.
Andrew will be illustrating the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to modeling the environment.

John Morecroft is Senior Fellow in Management Science and Operations at London Business School where he teaches system dynamics, problem structuring and strategy to MBAs and executives. He is a leading expert in strategic modeling and system dynamics, has written numerous papers and journal articles, and is author of Strategic Modelling and Business Dynamics (Wiley 2007). He has collaborated with a wide range of organizations from Royal Dutch/Shell to BBC World Service and Harley Davidson. Before joining London Business School he was on the faculty of MIT’s Sloan School of Management.
John will be talking about the challenges of communicating Systems Thinking and his use of metaphorical models to explain feedback dynamics.

Lees Stuntz is Executive Director of the Creative Learning Exchange. Working under the direction of a Board of Trustees which includes Jay Forrester (founder of the Field of System Dynamics), Lees has dedicated herself to developing Systems Thinking and dynamic modeling in K-12 education. Her work supports networking and exchange among schools and systems educators across the globe to address the critical thinking needs of students/future citizens.
Lees will lead a panel discussion on the success and challenges of bringing Systems Thinking to our children.

Application Story and Case Study Presentations

Both days will feature presentations on a variety of topics including: gathering real-world data to fuel models, choosing a project team, communicating findings, and organizational adoption of Systems Thinking practices.

Presentations will cover the benefits of outcomes as well as plans for model expansion or new applications.

Presenters include:

• Kevin Austin, Enzyme International
• Bob Berry, DPS Telecom
• Robert Costanza, University of Vermont
• Mark Heffernan, Evans & Peck
• Peter Lacey, The Whole Systems Partnership
• Corey Peck, Lexidyne LLC
• Steve Peterson, Lexidyne LLC
• Khalid Saeed, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• Chris Soderquist, Pontifex Consulting
• Richard Stevenson, Valculus Ltd
• Luc Van Den Durpel, LISTO bvba

Poster Presentations

Poster presentations afford you a rare opportunity to view the work of fellow attendees, provide feedback, and network with consultants outside a formal presentation.

If would you like to present a poster and take advantage of the highly regarded Systems Thinking talent at the conference, please contact Sarah Davie at sdavie@iseesystems.com or (603) 448-4990 and indicate the topic of your poster. Your poster presentation should display project goals, models, and outcomes.

Panel & Round Table Discussions

Conference participants will meet with peers from their field to discuss iThink and STELLA applications, challenges, and successes. These discussions will be facilitated by experts in the field.

isee Lab

A lab staffed by the isee systems development team will be open throughout the conference. You can stop by and get a demonstration of latest software developments or ask specific questions about software features and operations.

Conference Schedule