ABOUT
System Dynamics in Action
Lab
At MIT, we believe in solving problems with both mind and hand—applying theory to practice and learning through doing. System Dynamics in Action brings this spirit alive through the voices of two EMBA graduate students tackling real-world complexity head-on.
What happens when your startup or institution runs into challenges that spreadsheets, strategy decks, or brute-force optimization can’t fix? How do you understand the deeper dynamics at play—in energy systems, legal infrastructures, or organizational workflows
Each case illustrates how System Dynamics supports the exploratory phase of problem solving—helping uncover root causes, surface mental models, and reveal potential leverage points before solutions are locked in.
Whether you’re in policy, business, technology, or law, this is your opportunity to see System Dynamics in action, paired with modern innovations and practical tools for understanding and addressing complexity.
EVENT FEATURES
Two Presentations & Encouraged Participation
In this live hybrid session, you’ll begin by hearing from two graduate EMBA student presenters who are using System Dynamics to explore and untangle complex challenges in their professional domains.
The first case focuses on the persistent delays and inefficiencies within Brazil’s civil court system. With millions of backlogged cases and overloaded judicial processes, our EMBA graduate student and practicing attorney, Ticiano Figueiredo '26, J.D., applies System Dynamics to surface how structural bottlenecks, incentive misalignments, and systemic inertia compound over time. The model offers insight into how policy changes and workflow redesigns might reduce delays while preserving fairness and legal integrity.
The second case by EMBA graduate student, Mohamed Sidahmed '26, examines the fragility and reinforcing feedback loops within a national energy grid. Beyond issues of unreliable infrastructure and regulatory delays, many energy systems globally are not yet equipped to support the pace of innovation required for the transition to cleaner, more decentralized energy. Faced with rising demand, evolving technologies, and inconsistent policy signals, the student uses System Dynamics to explore how technical constraints, policy inertia, and investment cycles interact, revealing critical leverage points for building a more resilient, flexible, and innovation-ready energy grid.
The event is designed to expose you to diverse viewpoints in a quick and meaningful way.
