Searching 161 identify gaps in information, knowledge, and understanding. Between iterations,wetrytofillinthegaps.Insubsequentiterations,weverifythe assertionsmadeinthepreviousiteration;obtainagreementonsignificant issues;anddevelopaninteractivemodeltounderstandthebehaviorofthe system. 8.1.1 Systems Analysis Systems analysis is used to develop a snapshot of the current system and its environment that describes their structural, functional, and behavioral aspects without making a value judgment (see Table 8.1). 8.1.2 Obstruction Analysis Obstruction analysis is used to identify the malfunctioning in the power, knowledge, wealth, beauty, and value dimensions of a social system (see Table 8.2). Scarcity, maldistribution, and insecurity in any of the five dimensions represent what we have called first-degree obstructions and their reinforc- ing interactions produce second-order obstructions as discussed in Chapter 4:polarization,alienation,corruption,andterrorism.