System Feedback Loops

[Name of the Instituttion]

System Feedback Loops

Introduction

A feedback loop is not a thing, it is not a process, and it is not information. It is a pattern of organisation that exists only as long as the interactions between the parts continue to form an unbroken circuit. A feedback loop emerges when the effects of the behaviour of one part of a system are available to modify that part's own behaviour. i.e. it is self-adaptive. And because they are circular, feedback loops can be considered 'iterative information pathways'. Feedback loops can be divided into two types by examining what happens to a system over time as a result of the loop operating. Either a change in the system is reinforced (i.e. more of more, or less of less) or a change in the system is dampened (i.e. less of more, or more of less). These two types are technically known as positive and negative feedback respectively. (Senge 2008)

Reinforcing and balancing feedback loops have to be understood in terms of limits and thresholds. Reinforcing feedback loops tend to move the system toward and eventually over a threshold. Balancing feedback loops keep the system within bounds and close to midpoints.

To use Skype, you'll need a PC running Windows 2000 or XP, a 400MHz CPU, 128MB of RAM, 10MB of free disk space, a dial-up Internet connection, a microphone, sound card, and speakers or headphones. Generally, you'll get your best results using headphones, since they eliminate feedback loops that result from sounds recycling through the microphone and speakers.

Balancing Loop for Skype

The balancing loop is one of the two foundational structures of systems thinking, the other being the Reinforcing Loop. A balancing loop is representative of any situation where there is a goal or an objective and action is taken to achieve that goal or objective. Skype is using the following structural approach regarding the balancing loop. As Skype tried to increase its % sales it just created a balancing loop. Also if it introduces a new feature in chat room, it again creates a balanced loop.

The desired state interacts with the current state to produce a gap. The desired state is considered to be fixed during this consideration. The gap created by the difference between the desired state and the current state is really the motivation for action, and the larger the gap the grater the tendency to produce action. The action taken then adds to the current state. The current state subtracts from the gap, thus reducing it. When the action succeeds in moving the current state to a point where it is equal to the desired state the gap is reduced to zero and there is no more motivation for action. (Senge 2008)

Following are the effective strategies adopted by Skype in balancing loop.

Skype ensures there is an explicit well understood and agreed upon definition of the desired state.

Skype ensure there is an as objective as possible definition of the current state. It is the relation between the desired state and the current state that forms the basis ...