Abstract for: Lessons from working across facilitated modelling disciplines

System dynamics is an approach that helps to build insight into the structural drivers of dynamic problems. Early publications in the field recognize that crucial information on system structure can only be found in stakeholders’ mental models. Facilitated system dynamics modelling emerged later as a way to elicit mental models, build stakeholders’ understanding and create commitment to conclusions. Facilitation is used in a range of different modelling disciplines, which complement system dynamicists’ focus on problem structure. SODA or group causal mapping focuses on goals and stakeholders, decision conferencing on actions, participative scenario development on plausible futures. This paper presents insights from more than 20 years of cooperation across modelling disciplines. A starting point is the idea that working on complex issues involves bridging differences of opinion on problem causes as well as goals. This means addressing individual shortcomings in information processing (biases and heuristics), but also attending to deficiencies in group decision making. Groups introduce social motivation, the potential for interpersonal conflict as well as power differences. Facilitated modelling allows for bringing these elements together in engaged decision making, in which stakeholders are motivated to exchange ideas, process information and develop a shared sense of commitment.