Systems modelling

This introductory OpenLearn study unit will introduce you to the modelling process enabling you to recognise that systems models may be used in different ways as part of a process for: improving understanding of a situation; identifying problems or formulating opportunities and supporting decision making.

In order to get the most out of this unit, you need to be familiar with, or at least not worried by, simple mathematics, and recognise some related concepts such as chance and probability. Working through the first self-assessment question (SAQ) will give you an indication of the skills and attitudes involved. If you find you are having a lot of difficulty with SAQ 1, put this unit aside and select a more appropriate unit from the topic list. As well as providing an introduction to models, the unit looks at systems modelling in practice.

After working through these materials you should be able to:
• describe and use a general classification of models
• outline and discuss the process of systems modelling, where models are used as part of a systemic approach to a range of different situations
• recognise that systems models may be used in different ways as part of a process for: improving understanding of a situation; identifying problems or formulating opportunities; supporting decision making

The unit takes on average 4 hours to complete.

[Description and screenshot taken from the OU page for this course. (c) Open University used under the terms of their CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 license.]

Link: http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=397801&direct=1
Source: http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/
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