The Dilemma of the Dynamic Problems: Provide a Framework for the Process of Problem Definition

Problem definition is the most vital and important step in system dynamics approach. It is the basis for other steps of dynamic modeling and one of the main conditions in the effectiveness of modeling and its success. Considering its importance, there is scant literature on process of problem definition and attributes as well as indicators of dynamic problems. With aims to explain the problem definition, this article creates problem definition framework through the systematic and structured process by extracting the indicators and factors that determine a dynamic problem. At this point all the articles listed at the first two rounds of system dynamics research conferences in 1976 and 1981 and also 33 around of the system dynamics conference from 1983 to 2015 as well as the Journal of System Dynamics Review (SDR) and scientific databases include Elsevier, Wiley, Springer and Emerald were examined. Finally, a framework was designed with 6 indicators including structure of the problem, problem`s stakeholders, border of problem, problem complexity, dynamics and nature of the problem, which altogether consists of 24 indexes. A comprehensive framework for the diagnosis of dynamics problem is main finding of this paper.