The purpose of these tutorials is to get the user acquainted with Vensim.
The material is progressively more advanced.
Getting Started
The Vensim User Interfaceprovides a brief overview of Vensim’s functionality, along with information on the Sketch tools, Analysis tools, and Control windows.
Workforce Inventory Model provides hands-on experience running and analyzing an existing model.
Building Models with Vensim
Causal Loop Diagramming introduces you to the construction and use of causal loop diagrams. Structural analysis of diagrams using Analysis tools is also described.
Stock and Flow Diagrams shows how to use Vensim to create basic System Dynamic diagrams (Levels and Rates)
Building a Simulation Model steps you through the construction of a simulation model of the growth of a population. This problem helps you learn the mechanics of building, simulating, and analyzing models with Vensim.
Using Functions and Fixing Simulation Errors A simple Price and Demand model is used to demonstrate the inclusion of functions in models. The section uses this example to show how to detect and correct errors that occur during simulation.
Building a Lookup Function describes how to create and use Lookups. These are functions that relate an input to an output by drawing a graph of the relationship. They are also called Lookup Tables and sometimes just Tables.
Using Multiple Views develops a model with multiple views, allowing you to split a model into different sectors.
Customizing Output shows you how to customize output graphs from the Analysis tools. The Custom Graph and Table editors, with which you can create customized graphical and tabular output for multiple variables are also described.
Advanced Capabilities
Input Output Controls shows how to make use of Input Output Controls and Navigation Links to make a model easier and more fun to use and present to others.
SyntheSim presents SyntheSim and shows how it can be used to work with and understand models.
Reality Check allows you to build model validity tests.
Using Data in Models describes how to use data in models. Data variables are defined which access exogenous time series and drive model behavior. This chapter covers importing data from text files and from spreadsheets. Not all functionality is available in Vensim PLE.
Sending Models to Others gives directions and hints for making your model available to others using the Vensim Model Reader and other Vensim configurations.
Reference Modes is an introduction to using reference modes as a way of conceptualizing feedback models and also as a means of testing and developing mental integration skills.
The following features are not available with Vensim PLE.
Games in Vensim explains how to use models as games, or "flight simulators", where you can step progressively through time while making decisions at each time. Vensim PLE users should skip this chapter.
Sensitivity Testing provides an example of Monte Carlo sensitivity testing. You set parameters with uncertainty values and then run sensitivity analysis to determine uncertainties in particular variables over the simulation time. Vensim PLE users should skip this chapter.
The following sections describe features that are available only for Vensim Professional and DSS:
Subscripts and Arrays introduces subscripted models (subscript or array variables in a model) and provides both simple and more complex examples. This chapter is applicable to Vensim Professional and DSS only.
Optimization covers two types of model optimization. The first type is calibration of model constants while fitting model output to an external data series. The second is policy optimization, finding the best model parameters to maximize or minimize payoff variables. This Chapter is applicable to Vensim Professional and DSS only.
The Appendix provides information about resources available for learning more about building and using dynamic models.
