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System Archetypes

9 important questions on System Archetypes

What are the two limitations of archetypes?

- It's very intuitive, resulting in a false sense of accuracy.
- It limits the transferability of solutions from one context to the other.

Which archetype do you see on the picture? Explain this archetype as well as the way to get out of the trap.

This is the archetype tragedy of the commons. In this archetype, variables (in this example people) make use of the commonly shared resource, because every user benefits from it. However, the costs are shared with everyone. Therefore, the feedback from the condition of the resource to the decisions is weak. E.g. Fossil fuels, natural park.

Way to get out:
- Educate and exhort; make it a private source
- Regulating the access.

Which archetype do you see on this picture? Explain this archetype as well as the way to get out of the trap.

This archetype is the drift to lower performance. These are goals that set a system drifting towards lower performance, because the desired state is influenced by the perceived state.

The way out:
- Keep the performance standard absolute
- Let standards be enhanced by the best actual performance, instead of the worst.

Which archetype do you see on the picture? Explain this archetype as well as the way to get out of the trap.

This is the escalation archetype. In this archetype actions of one party are perceived as threat by the other party. The other responses, which is more threat for the other party etc.

The way to get out:
- Avoid getting in
- Refuse to compete (unilaterally disarm)
- Negotiate a new system with balancing loops to control escalation

Which archetype do you see on the picture? Explain this archetype as well as the way to get out of the trap.

This is the success to the successful archetype in which the winners will remain winners and the losers will remain losers. E.g. The game monopoly.

The way to get out:
- Diversification
- Strict limitations (antitrust laws)
- Policies that level the playing field. E.g. Removing power of the strongest and make the weakest stronger.
- Policies that devise rewards for success that do not bias the next round of competition.

Which archetype do you see on the picture? Explain this archetype as well as the way to get out of the trap.

The archetype on the picture is the shifting the burder archetype. This archetype shows that addiction and dependence arise when a solution to a systematic problem solve the symptoms, but not solve the underlying problem. Instead, the system will become more and more dependent on the intervention and less and less able to maintain its own desired state. E.g. Alcohol and drugs, but also fundings.

The way out:
- Avoid getting in
- Beware of symptom relieving
- Take focus of the short term and focus on the long term
- Build your system back up before removing the intervention

Explain the archetype rule beating, and elaborate on how to get out of the trap.

Rule beating archetype is about behavior that gives the appearance of obeying the rules or achieving the goals, but in fact distorts the system. E.g. Pointless spending at the end of the year to fully spend the budget in order to receive the same amount next year. E.g. Having different rules for (almost) the same products.

The way out:
- Design or redesign rules in order that people try to achieve the rules/goals

Explain the archetype seeking the wrong goal. Also elaborate on how to get out of the trap.

Seeking the wrong goal archetype is about the system which obediently work to produce a result that is not really intended or wanted. E.g. We often aim for a growth in GDP, however this also means an increase in CO2 emission.

The way out:
- Specify indicators that reflect the real welfare of the system.

What's the difference between exhaustionist and endougionist?

Exhaustionist ; you believe the problems come from outside of the system. (conventional)

Endougionist; you believe the source of the problem is within the system (system thinking).

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

Thinking in Systems: A Primer | 9781603580557

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System Archetypes

9 important questions on System Archetypes

What are the two limitations of archetypes?

Which archetype do you see on the picture? Explain this archetype as well as the way to get out of the trap.

Which archetype do you see on this picture? Explain this archetype as well as the way to get out of the trap.

Which archetype do you see on the picture? Explain this archetype as well as the way to get out of the trap.

Which archetype do you see on the picture? Explain this archetype as well as the way to get out of the trap.

Which archetype do you see on the picture? Explain this archetype as well as the way to get out of the trap.

Explain the archetype rule beating, and elaborate on how to get out of the trap.

Explain the archetype seeking the wrong goal. Also elaborate on how to get out of the trap.

What's the difference between exhaustionist and endougionist?

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