Testing Big Ideas

Testing Big Ideas in a Safe Place

Edinburgh – Thursday 1 February 2018 (1.30 – 4.30 pm)

The Melting Pot, 5 Rose Street, EDINBURGH EH2 2PR

Douglas McKelvie and Donald Scott are presenting this free workshop as part of the Scottish Government’s Firestarter Festival

In the Symmetric Lab, we use computer simulation to help people, groups and organisations to improve and test alternative strategies in seconds (without having to do it in real life).

Terms such as whole-systems, systems-thinking, non-linear, ‘wicked problems’ and complexity are commonly used, but how do we grapple with them?

System Dynamic simulation and modelling can unravel complexity and help decision-making by giving more understanding of the consequences of different options. Surprising and counter-intuitive truths can be revealed in relation to perennial challenges such as workforce planning or matching capacity to demand.

Participants will be able to explore the behaviour of at least two models, testing out assumptions about how they might behave.

No prior knowledge or experience is required

Our examples will be from health and social care integration and workforce planning, but will be relevant to people from a wide range of settings. Anyone who is concerned with using or working in public services, strategy, policy development, workforce development, service design, data & information, evaluation, research, improvement or facilitation, is welcome.

Do not file under ‘something for our analysts’. Register here.