A Conceptual Schema of the System Dynamics Casual Loop Diagram

System dynamics is a popular modeling technique which is widely used in the analysis and design of dynamic systems. It can be applied to complex social, managerial, economic, or ecological systems. It conveniently models interdependence, mutual interaction, information feedback, and circular causality. The NIAM (Nijssen’s Information Analysis Methodology) is a fact-based conceptual schema model that can be represented by graphical diagrams or described by a formal natural language. Since all relationship types are elementary, they cannot be further decomposed and yield 5NF relational database schemas. From the good characteristics of NIAM and System Dynamics, this paper presents a NIAM-based conceptual schema which describes System Dynamics Casual Loop Diagrams (CLDs). The conceptual schema is transformed into meta tables which are used to keep CLDs information. Tourist destination CLD and sample SQL queries on the meta tables are presented as a case study. Key-Words: System Dynamics, Casual Loop Diagram, NIAM, Relational Database