Editing System dynamics (section)

===Example: Growth and decline of companies===
[[Image:Causal Loop Diagram of a Model.png|thumb|600px|center|Causal loop diagram of a model examining the growth or decline of a life insurance company.<ref name ="Tay Feedback"/>]]

The figure above is a causal loop diagram of a system dynamics model created to examine forces that may be responsible for the growth or decline of [[life insurance]] companies in the [[United Kingdom]]. A number of this figure's features are worth mentioning. The first is that the model's negative feedback loops are identified by ''C's'', which stand for ''Counteracting'' loops. The second is that double slashes are used to indicate places where there is a significant delay between causes (i.e., variables at the tails of arrows) and effects (i.e., variables at the heads of arrows). This is a common causal loop diagramming convention in system dynamics. Third, is that thicker lines are used to identify the feedback loops and links that author wishes the audience to focus on. This is also a common system dynamics diagramming convention. Last, it is clear that a decision maker would find it impossible to think through the dynamic behavior inherent in the model, from inspection of the figure alone.<ref name ="Tay Feedback">Michael J. Radzicki and Robert A. Taylor (2008). [http://www.systemdynamics.org/DL-IntroSysDyn/start.htm "Feedback"]. In: ''U.S. Department of Energy's Introduction to System Dynamics''. Retrieved 23 October 2008.</ref>