Causal Loop Drawings (CLDs) are a way of capturing how we think the world works.
A causal loop drawing is made up of variables and the relationships between them.
**Variables** are expressed as words.
They must be capable of changing up and down in value. For example, the number of people in the room, the temperature in the room, my ability to concentrate etc.
> Often we think of things as static rather than changeable. Ask what is it about this thing that matters? For example, what is it about the person that matters in this situation? It could be their size, their weight, their attentiveness, their temperature, their know-how, their motivation, their energy etc. Keep talking together until all participants agree on the meaning of the variables.
**Relationships** are drawn with arrows.
The arrows connect the cause variable to the variables they affect.
**There are only two kinds of relationships**: Supporting and Opposing.
> The relationship is **supporting** if when the cause variable increases the variable affected also increases (and vice versa - so if the cause variable decreases the variable affected also decreases.) That is to say that the two variables move in the same direction. We have to consider just the single relationship and assume all other variables are held at the same level. We depict supporting relationships with an "S" next to the arrowhead. The relationship is **opposing** if when the cause variable increases the variable affected decreases (and vice versa - so if the cause variable decreases the variable affected increases.) That is to say that the two variables move in the opposite direction. We have to consider just the single relationship and assume all other variables are held at the same level. We depict opposing relationships with an "O" next to the arrowhead.
**As we develop our drawings we will notice loops of causality** where one variable affects itself!
We call these loops, feedback loops. There are only two kinds of loops: Reinforcing and Balancing.
> **Reinforcing loops** do as the name implies. They reinforce whatever behavior we start with. They cause virtuous or vicious cycles. They behave exponentially. We depict reinforcing loops with an "R" in the centre of the loop. See Power of Exponential. **Balancing loops** also do as the name implies. They change whatever behavior we start with. They control reinforcing loops or goal seek. We depict balancing loops with a "B" in the centre of the loop.
**That's it!**
Now **sketch a very simple CLD** starting with one variable from your Six Question exercise or anything else. * Be sure the node names read as **variables**--something that can increase and decrease. * Be sure to label the **relationships** as supporting (S) or opposing (O). * If you completed a three or more variable **loop**, determine if it is Balancing or Reinforcing, add a large B or R in the center.
When CLDs are created with generative variables they almost grow themselves. They become learning tools.
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What can you imagine might come if you or others used this exercise elsewhere? * * * * * *
Rules to Remember
There are only a few technical rules and an infinity of uses. # Rules: 1. Each node must be a **variable**. 2. Every relationship is **directed**. That is to say, relationships between variables are shown as arrows. The direction of the arrow shows the direction of the effect. 3. The only relationship meaning is in the form of "causes", "influences", or "affects". Thus links need **no labels**. 4. Capture the **polarity** of the relationship as either **same (S)** or **opposite (O)**. 5. **Closed loops** are of two types: Balancing and Reinforcing. If the number of opposing links in a loop is an even number (or no opposing links) the loop is a **Reinforcing Loop (R)**. If there are an uneven number of opposing links in the loop it will be a **Balancing Loop (B)**. **That's it!** (See CLD Instructions)
# CRITIQUING CLDs _When reviewing your work or another's work answer these questions:_ * [ ] Are names variables? * [ ] Are the variable names understandable? * [ ] Do the relationships (links) make sense? * [ ] Is the polarity right? * [ ] Are there any relationships missing from between existing variables? * [ ] Can we close any more loops? * [ ] Are there any missing variables? _-From the logic of the diagram_ * [ ] Does the story make sense? * [ ] Are there any other missing variables? _-From the point of view of the whole story_
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Causal Loop Models are the foundational modeling method when well done.