INTRODUCTION TO SYSTEMS
THINKING FOR HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS D458 FINAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS LATEST GUIDE
2025/2026.
, 1. Accumulator/Stock/Level ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER Anything that builds up or dwindles; for example, water
in a bathtub, savings in a bank account, inventory in a warehouse. In modeling software, a stock is often used as a generic
symbol for accumulators.
2. Balancing Process/Loop ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER Combined with reinforcing loops, balancing process- es
form the building blocks of dynamic systems. Balancing processes seek equi- librium They try to bring things to a
desired state and keep them there. They also limit and constrain change generated by reinforcing processes. A balancing
loop in a causal loop diagram depicts a balancing process.
3. Behavior Over Time (BOT) Graph/Reference Mode Diagrams ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER One of the 10
tools of systems thinking. BOT graphs capture the history or trend of one or more variables over time. By sketching
several variables on one graph, you can gain an explicit understanding of how they interact over time; Can be used to
graph the behavior of variables over time and gain insights into any interrelationships between them.
4. Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER One of the 10 tools of systems thinking. Causal loop
diagrams capture how variables in a system are interrelated. A CLD takes the form of one or more closed loops that
depict cause-and-effect linkages; Used in conjunction with behavior over time diagrams, can help you identify
reinforcing (R) and balancing (B) processes
5. Feedback ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER The return of information about the status of a process. Example ✔✔
CORRECT ANSWER annual performance reviews return information to an employee about the quality of his or her
work.
6. Flow/Rate ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER The amount of change something undergoes during a particular length of
time. Example ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER the amount of water that flows out of a bathtub each minute, or the amount of
interest earned in a savings account each month.
7. Leverage Point ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER An area where small change can yield large improvements in a
system.
8. Reinforcing Process/Loop ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER Along with balancing loops, reinforcing loops form the
building blocks of dynamic systems. Reinforcing processes compound change in one direction with even more change in that
THINKING FOR HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS D458 FINAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS LATEST GUIDE
2025/2026.
, 1. Accumulator/Stock/Level ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER Anything that builds up or dwindles; for example, water
in a bathtub, savings in a bank account, inventory in a warehouse. In modeling software, a stock is often used as a generic
symbol for accumulators.
2. Balancing Process/Loop ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER Combined with reinforcing loops, balancing process- es
form the building blocks of dynamic systems. Balancing processes seek equi- librium They try to bring things to a
desired state and keep them there. They also limit and constrain change generated by reinforcing processes. A balancing
loop in a causal loop diagram depicts a balancing process.
3. Behavior Over Time (BOT) Graph/Reference Mode Diagrams ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER One of the 10
tools of systems thinking. BOT graphs capture the history or trend of one or more variables over time. By sketching
several variables on one graph, you can gain an explicit understanding of how they interact over time; Can be used to
graph the behavior of variables over time and gain insights into any interrelationships between them.
4. Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER One of the 10 tools of systems thinking. Causal loop
diagrams capture how variables in a system are interrelated. A CLD takes the form of one or more closed loops that
depict cause-and-effect linkages; Used in conjunction with behavior over time diagrams, can help you identify
reinforcing (R) and balancing (B) processes
5. Feedback ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER The return of information about the status of a process. Example ✔✔
CORRECT ANSWER annual performance reviews return information to an employee about the quality of his or her
work.
6. Flow/Rate ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER The amount of change something undergoes during a particular length of
time. Example ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER the amount of water that flows out of a bathtub each minute, or the amount of
interest earned in a savings account each month.
7. Leverage Point ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER An area where small change can yield large improvements in a
system.
8. Reinforcing Process/Loop ✔✔ CORRECT ANSWER Along with balancing loops, reinforcing loops form the
building blocks of dynamic systems. Reinforcing processes compound change in one direction with even more change in that
