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.
The fact that they are called variables means that they must vary. ie They must be capable of changing up and down in value. Variables can be seen and measured by instruments or unseen and quantified subjectively. For example, the number of people in the room, the temperature in the room, my ability to concentrate etc.
Often we think of things rather than variables. So we have to ask the question what is it about this thing that matters? For example, if the thing is a person then ask what is it about the person that matters here. It could be their size, their weight, their attentiveness, their temperature, their know-how, their motivation, their energy etc.
It is necessary to work on the form of words until all participants agree that the wording is meaningful to all of them.
**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 the three 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? * * * * * *
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Causal Loop Models are the foundational modeling method when well done.