The Flow System Framework defines system behavior through the relationship between capacity (K) and demand (D), evaluated at a node using:
SF = K / D
Assets generate capacity, flows generate demand, and the node determines the balance.
- Identify the node
- Measure capacity (K)
- Identify demand (D)
- Compute SF
- Determine system state
Al Wahaibi, A. (2026). Flow System Framework. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19177169
The Flow System Framework is a conceptual and analytical model for understanding system behavior through the interaction between assets and flows within geographical constraints.
At its core, the framework defines the node as the central decision point where system stability is determined using a capacity-demand relationship:
SF = K / D
Where:
- K represents capacity generated by assets
- D represents demand generated by flows
The framework distinguishes between:
- Node States: Stable, Critical, Bottleneck
- Flow States: Stable, Unstable, Blocked
This model provides a structured approach for:
- Identifying bottlenecks
- Diagnosing instability
- Optimizing system performance
Assets generate capacity, flows generate demand, and the node determines the balance.
Operational assets synchronize, geography constrains, and mandatory assets control.
- Supply chains
- Energy systems
- Logistics networks
- Infrastructure planning
- Strategic decision-making
This work is archived in Zenodo and assigned a DOI for citation. flow-systems systems-engineering bottleneck-analysis network-flows decision-model systems-thinking logistics capacity-demand