Building More Effective Models: Unlocking the Hidden Treasures of STELLA and iThink will help STELLA and iThink users sharpen their model building skills and unlock the power of often overlooked/underutilized features.

Through four, one-hour recorded presentations, you’ll learn to create models that engage your audience, make convincing arguments, and effectively simulate future scenarios. Led by instructor Chris Soderquist, you'll explore the potential of storytelling, sensitivity analysis, array, and data import/export features.

Each recorded session includes 30-45 minutes of instruction followed by Q&A. Online access to handouts that summarize session content, sample models and homework exercises will help cement learning.
 

Session 1: Storytelling

Create engaging, convincing models using storytelling features like simulating visible model structures, highlighting feedback loops, organizing chapters, adding buttons and annotating your story.

Session 2: Sensitivity Analysis

Find out how your model performs under extreme conditions, identify a parameter’s level of influence, and create confidence in the likelihood of future behaviors.

Session 3: Arrays

Quickly represent high levels of detail (differentiate regions, product lines, organizational specifics) without increasing the visual complexity of your model.

Session 4: Data Import/Export

Utilize pre-existing data sets by adding dynamic data links to your models. Import/export reduces data entry time, increases accuracy, and allows for more sophisticated reports, graphs, and tables.

About the Instructor

Chris Soderquist is the president of Pontifex Consulting. Since 1998 he’s worked with executives and middle-level managers to develop strategic solutions to complex issues. His clients include: Alcoa, Boeing, Hewlett-Packard, Mayo Clinic, NASA, Pfizer, Sony Ericsson, United Way, and the World Bank.

Chris’ background in Systems Thinking began at Northwestern University where he first began integrating scientific methods with human decision making processes. He worked with isee systems (then High Performance Systems) for over four years, where he was a lead consultant, trainer, and learning environment developer. The over 30 unique training programs he has designed and delivered include an award-winning customer-service training program for BEP.

The author of many articles on Systems Thinking, Chris contributed a chapter on the Strategic Forum™ in The Change Handbook: Group Methods for Shaping the Future (Berrett-Koehler, 1999). Along with Barry Richmond, Chris co-developed the interactive teaching tool Systems Thinking: Taking the Next Step.