System Archetypes and Systems Thinking
The Fifth Discipline - The Cornerstone of Learning Organization
Attributions to Jennifer Kemeny, Michael Goodman, Daniel H. Kim, Ernst Diehl, Christian Kampmann, Jack Nevison,
John Sterman, Donella Meadows, Virginia H. Anderson, David Peter Stroh
See real-life case studies using these system archetypes here!

Ten archetypes or "generic structures" identified and codified by people in Systems Dynamics to explain the difficult
challenges, particularly recurring dynamic complexities that are common to a variety of management situations!
Nature of
Archetype
(mouse- over
pictures for more...)
 Archetype
Behaviour Over
Time
 Name of Archetype
(click on link to see
the structure)
 Nature of
Archetype
(mouse- over
pictures for more...)
 Archetype
Behaviour Over
Time
 Name of
Archetype(click on
link to see the
structure)
I think of Growth
 I think of maintaining the status quo
(by fixing a problem)
FOR A LONG TIME, NOTHING IS HAPPENING. THEN SUDDENLY SOMETHING HAPPENS AT AN INCREASINGLY FASTER RATE!
Reinforcing Loop
I ACT WHEN I SEE A GAP (FROM MY INTENDED GOAL)
Balancing Loop
I SEEM TO BE RUNNING ON THE SPOT!
Limits to Success
PROPERTY BOOMS AND DOOMS
Balancing Loop with
Delay
THE WINNER TAKES ALL!
Success to the
Successful
JUST DO IT (CORRECT THE TEENAGER)! WE WILL WORRY THE CONSEQUENCES LATER.
Fixes that Backfire
THE LAG NEEDED TO BUILD QUALITY AFFECTS THE WILLINGNESS TO COMMIT INVESTMENTS LEADING TO DECLINING DEMAND OVER TIME.
Growth and
Underinvestment
I NEED A BANDAIDNOW!
Shifting the Burden
OVERGRAZING, OVERFISHING, OVER ....
Tragedy of the
Commons
I MUST WIN, AND HE MUST NOT WIN!
Escalation
THE BEST OF FRIENDS BECOME THE WORST OF ENEMIES
Accidental
Adversaries
THE FOCUS ON 9/11 IN THE WEST AND THE REGION LED US TO LETTING OUR ATTENTION SLIP ON SARs IN THE FAR EAST.
Drifting Goals