Lab 1 – Get Start with Stella Architect

IE2141 Systems Thinking and Dynamics

Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Management (ISEM)

College of Design and Engineering
National University of Singapore

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 Let's protect the environment
Lecture notes are subject to change before
the class for further improvement
(Ver. 31 August 2023)

Acknowledgement
The preparation of this module has been made possible by the support from IE2141
teaching team, and the past teaching materials developed by A/Prof. Aaron Chia.

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 Learning Outcome
▪ Familiarizing with STELLA software;
▪ Drawing of causal-loop diagrams and stock-flow diagrams;
▪ Building and running a system dynamics (SD) model;
▪ Creating graphs, tables, and the interface with an SD model
example.

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 What is Stella Architect
▪ Stella Architect is the definitive modeling tool to create
professional simulations and presentations. Seamlessly create,
design, and publish models to share with anyone, anywhere,
anytime.

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 New Model / CLD – Edit Mode
Model Setting
Menu and Buttons

Select if to build a New Model (System

Dynamic Model) or a New CLD
Click to Hide

Model Panel

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 Drawing CLD

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 Drawing CLD

Click to create
variables

Click and connect

variables to create
“Causal relationships”

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 Drawing CLD

Click on the arrow

to edit its options,
i.e., polarity, delay
mark

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 Drawing CLD – Exercise
▪ Draw the following CLD using STELLA Architect

Ctrl+V

Select & Ctrl+C

The CLD can be copied and

pasted directly to PPT slides
Ctrl+V
and Word documents

Remarks – All CLDs in presentation for IE2141

IE2141 Systems Thinking and Dynamics – ISEM Department, National University of Singapore
are required to be drawn using STELLA Architect 9
 Draw Stock-Flow Diagram

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 Create Stocks
1) Select Non-Negative Stock from
the drop-down menu
2) Click the Stock button to create it
3) Drop it on the model panel
4) Click the name of the stock to
rename it

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 Create Inflows and Outflows
1) Select Flow from the drop-down
menu
2) Click the Flow button to create it
3) Drop it on the model panel and
drag it from/to the Stock to
connect
4) Click the name of the flow to
rename it

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 Create Converters
1) Select Converter from the
drop-down menu
2) Click the Converter button to
create it
3) Drop it on the model panel
4) Click the name of the
converter to rename it

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 Create Connectors
1) Select Connector from the
drop-down menu
2) Click the Connector button to
create it
3) Drop it on the model panel
where it connects from
4) Drag it to where it connects to

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 Build and Run SD Model

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 Model Setting
▪ Simulation run can be
controlled by Run Specs for
▪ Start Time
▪ Stop Time
▪ DT (delta time, time interval)
▪ Sim Duration (map to real clock time)
▪ Time Units (for Start Time, Stop Time,
and DT)

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 View Equation Layer
▪ Shift from Map View to Model
View to show the equation
layer
▪ All unset equations are
highlighted

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 View Equation Layer
1) Click Population stock
2) On the right panel, select Equation
tab at the bottom
3) Set Equation (i.e., initial value for
Stocks) as 25
4) Set units as “Fish”

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 View Equation Layer
▪ Set equation for Birth Rate as
Empty
0.05 Per Month
▪ Pay attention to the Required
Inputs, and Units

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 View Equation Layer
▪ Set equation for Births as Connected by
connectors
Population * Birth_Rate
▪ Pay attention to the Required
Inputs, and Units

Formulated by clicking the “Required

Inputs”, and “Operators”

Derived from Equation

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 View Equation Layer
▪ Set equation for Reference
Empty
Lifetime as 32 Months
▪ Pay attention to the Required
Inputs, and Units

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 View Equation Layer
▪ Set equation for Births as Connected by
connectors
Population * Birth_Rate
▪ Pay attention to the Required
Inputs, and Units

Formulated by clicking the “Required

Inputs”, and “Operators”

Derived from Equation

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 View Equation Layer
▪ Set equation for Deaths as Connected by
connectors
Population / Reference_Lifetime
▪ Pay attention to the Required
Inputs, and Units

Formulated by clicking the “Required

Inputs”, and “Operators”

Derived from Equation

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 Run the Model
▪ The SD model can be run once all initial values and equations
are set.

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 Graphs and Tables

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 Add a Graph
▪ Click the Graph button to
create it
▪ Drop on the model panel

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 Add a Graph
▪ On the right panel, select the
Graph Series Settings
▪ Click “ ” button to add a new
series and then select “Population”

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 Add a Graph
▪ Multiple series can be added to
the same Graph
▪ The Min/Max Y Value can be
adjusted for each Graph

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 Add a Table
▪ Click the Table button to
create it
▪ Drop on the model panel

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 Add a Table
▪ On the right panel, select the
Settings tab
▪ Click “ ” button to add a new
item and then select “Population”

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 Add a Graph
▪ Multiple items can be added to
the same Table

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 Adjust Run Specs
▪ Adjust the Run Specs as follows, and run the model again
to observe a curve on the graph for a longer period

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 Interface

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 Create Interface
▪ Click “Open Interface Window” button to create an interface for
the model

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 Create Interface
▪ A separate window is opened to edit the interface

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 Create Interface
▪ Insert and edit the text

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 Create Interface
▪ Insert an image from files

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 Create Interface
▪ Add a Graph

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 Create Interface
▪ Add a Button to Run the simulation

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 Create Interface
▪ Add the model onto the interface

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 Create Interface
▪ Add Knob and Slider for Variables (converters)

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 View the Final Interface
▪ To view your interface, select Interface > Present > Full Screen

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 Lab Assignment

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 Lab 1 Assignment
▪ Build and run the SD Model as shown in class, based on initial
values and equations mentioned in the slides;

▪ Answer the 10 MCQ questions on Canvas Quiz.

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 Lab 1 Assignment
Remarks:
▪ Two days to complete.(Check due time on Canvas)
▪ Only the last attempt will be taken.
▪ Although team discussion is allowed, individual submission
is required.

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 Let's protect the environment
Lecture notes are subject to change before
the class for further improvement

THANK YOU
The preparation of this module has been made possible by
the support from IE2141 teaching team, and the past
teaching materials developed by A/Prof. Aaron Chia.

IE2141 Systems Thinking and Dynamics – ISEM Department, National University of Singapore 46