We thought nothing is happening and then all of a sudden we saw something happen.
A balancing process tries to bring the system's behaviour to a desired state and KEEP IT THERE! - much like a thermostat regulates the temperature in your house.
Balancing Loop
One of the groups is beginning to do very well and the other is struggling.
If our opponent would only slow down, then we could stop fighting and get some other things done.
Escalation
There is another housing glut ... we thought we were in balance, but then we overshot the mark. What happened?
Look here. This solutions has worked so far! What do you mean, there's trouble down the road?
Balancing Loop with Delay
It always seemed to work before; why isn't it working now?
The harder we run, the more we seem to stay in the same place.
Limits to Success
Eroding performance figures are usually a tip-off that this archetype is at work.
As a relationship matures, the partners' level of intimacy grows. However it is easy to slip into adversarial relationship, leading to a roller-coaster ride or to break-up. This particularly happens when the relationship was based on self-serving ways.
Drifting Goals
There used to be plenty for everyone. Now it is getting tougher. If I am going to gain out of it, I'll have to work harder.
Well, we used to be the best, and we'll be the best again. But right now we have to conserve our resources and not over-invest.
Growth and underinvestment
Systems Archetypes - A Diagnostic Repertoire for Complexity
REINFORCING LOOP
Does a problem you are working on look like one of these patterns?
And if they have happened more than once, you can find a pattern that matches.
To learn more about this, look out for workshops on Systems Thinking.
Reinforcing Loop
Success to the Successful
Shifting the Burden
Fixes That Backfire / File
Accidental Adversaries
Tragedy of the Commons