Summary:
Understanding the difference between flow and accumulation is essential to understanding system behavior.
Context
Systems are often understood in terms of activity.
But activity alone does not explain behavior.
Model
Flow describes what moves through a system.
Accumulation describes what builds when movement is imbalanced.
When inflow exceeds outflow, accumulation forms.
Breakdown
- Resources enter the system
- Resources exit the system
- If inflow > outflow → accumulation builds
- Accumulation increases delay and complexity
Insight
Flow explains activity.
Accumulation explains behavior.