Course Highlights

• Offered over 5 days in person on the MIT Sloan campus
• Explores MIT's unique, powerful, and integrative System Dynamics approach to assess and resolve complex, persistent problems that emerge from change
• Introduces the Beer Game, which simulates the supply chain of the beer industry
• Presents a variety of problem-solving tools, including mapping techniques, simulation models, and MIT’s “management flight simulators” to understand the sources of persistent problems and how business decisions may result in complicated cause-and-effect loops
• Confers a certificate of course completion from the MIT Sloan School of Management

Early bird pricing: please use discount code EBBD2024 on your application for $600 off the upcoming 2025 session(s) when you apply by 10/31/2024.

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Why attend Business Dynamics?

In a world of growing complexity, many of the most vexing problems facing managers arise from the unanticipated side-effects of their own past actions. In response, organizations struggle to increase the speed of learning and adopt a more systemic approach. The challenge is to move beyond outdated slogans about accelerated learning and “thinking systemically” to implementing practical tools that help managers design better operating policies, understand complexity, and guide effective change.

This systems thinking course provides an intensive, hands-on introduction to System Dynamics, a powerful framework for identifying, designing, and implementing high-leverage interventions for sustained success in complex systems. It has been used successfully in diverse industries and organizations, such as Airbus, Compaq, General Motors, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, and Merck. Developed at MIT more than fifty years ago by computer pioneer Jay Forrester, System Dynamics led to the creation of management flight simulators that allow managers to accelerate learning, experience the long-term side effects of decisions, and design structures and strategies for greater success.

Course experience

Through intensive, hands-on workshops and interactive experiments, you will explore the principles of systems thinking and practical methods for putting this approach into action. You will be introduced to a variety of tools including mapping techniques and simulation models, which you can apply to your own business environment immediately. Throughout the week, you will work in small groups and interact closely with the course leaders, MIT Sloan Professors John Sterman and Nelson Repenning.

Learn more about the in person course experience.

The Beer Game
“There is no actual beer in the Beer Game,” says John Sterman. Rather, the Beer Game is a table game, developed in the late 1950s by digital computing pioneer and Sloan professor Jay Forrester. Played with pen, paper, printed plastic tablecloths, and poker chips, it simulates the supply chain of the beer industry. In so doing, it illuminates aspects of System Dynamics, a signature mode of MIT thought, including the nonlinear complexities of supply chains and the way individuals are circumscribed by the systems in which they act.

Applying to the course

Qualified candidates are admitted on a rolling basis. Please note that space is limited. Early application is encouraged and will increase your chances of being accepted. As this course is scheduled to be held in person, please also allow for Visa processing times.

You can begin the application process by using the red 'Enroll Now' bar at the bottom of the screen.

Health and Safety

See our on campus healthy and safety policies.

Gain your supervisor’s support
Here’s a letter you can edit and send to your supervisor to help you discuss your reasons for wanting to attend this course.

Have questions?

Contact us if you would like to speak with a program director or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to common questions about our courses.