Research Report
Glossary: Mapping the Stock and Flow Structure of Systems
- Author
- Aziz Shuaib Ausi
- Published
- 31 July 2026
- Last updated
- 8 August 2026
- Reading time
- 2 min
- Publication type
- Research Report
- Availability
- Restricted access
Derived from an academic source (private repository).
MIT System Dynamics Group faculty. (2013). Mapping the Stock and Flow Structure of Systems (Assignment 3, 15.871 Introduction to System Dynamics). MIT Sloan School of Management.
Glossary of System Dynamics: Stock and Flow Fundamentals
This glossary identifies the essential terminology and conceptual frameworks utilized in the study of systemic accumulations and rates of change, as outlined by the MIT System Dynamics Group faculty (2013).
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Backlog | An accumulation of unfulfilled orders or pending tasks that acts as a stock within a service or production system. |
| Balancing Loop | A negative feedback loop that functions as a goal-seeking mechanism, comparing the current system state to a target and initiating corrective action. |
| Challenging the Clouds | The critical modeling process of evaluating whether sources and sinks—represented by "cloud" symbols—should remain external or be integrated into the model. |
| Defect Elimination Rate | The speed at which errors or quality issues are removed from a process, typically through structured improvement initiatives. |
| Equilibrium | A state reached in a system when the total inflow rate equals the total outflow rate, resulting in a constant stock level. |
| Flows | The rates of change—expressed as units per period—that increase or decrease the quantity of a stock over time. |
| Information Links | Connectors in a diagram that transmit data from stocks or constants to the valves of flows, without transferring physical material. |
| PDCA Cycle | The Plan-Do-Check-Act framework (also known as the Deming Cycle) used for iterative process improvement and defect reduction. |
| Sink | A terminal point in a system diagram, represented by a cloud, where material or information exits the model's defined boundaries. |
| Source | An origin point in a system diagram, represented by a cloud, where material or information enters the model's boundaries. |
| Stocks | Accumulations within a system that represent its current state, providing the system with both memory and inertia. |
| Time Step (dt) | The discrete interval at which a simulation calculates changes; selecting a frequency too low can lead to mathematical instability or inaccuracies. |
Source
MIT System Dynamics Group faculty. (2013). Mapping the Stock and Flow Structure of Systems (Assignment 3, 15.871 Introduction to System Dynamics). MIT Sloan School of Management.
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Citation
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Aziz Shuaib Ausi (2026). Glossary: Mapping the Stock and Flow Structure of Systems. Research Report. Aziz Shuaib Ausi. https://www.azizshuaib.com/verify/ACADEMIC_DERIVED-2026-00067
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- 31 July 2026
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