Abstract for: Introduction to Vensim

This hands-on workshop will provide a quick introduction to modeling with Vensim. The primary purpose is to obtain technical proficiency with the software - building diagrams, writing and checking equations, running models and displaying output. However, in the process, we will work with interesting, classic models that demonstrate growth and decay, nonlinearity and shifting loop dominance and other interesting phenomena. As time permits and governed by the interest of participants, we will also cover modeling discrete events, stochastic behavior, tipping points and/or crafting good behavioral decision rules.