What is Archetype Structure?
The archetype structure is the specific arrangement of reinforcing and balancing loops that form the blueprint of a systems archetype. It is the reason a system behaves the way it does. You can visualize a structure with a causal loop diagram, which shows how all the variables in the system are connected and influence one another.
For example, the structure of “Limits to Success” is a reinforcing loop of growth that hits a balancing loop that holds it back. The structure of “Escalation” is two reinforcing loops in a tug-of-war with each other. Understanding the structure is the most important part of diagnosing a problem because it shows you exactly why the problem is happening.