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Complexity is good

Picutre credit: Skip the Budgie

Picture credit: Skip the Budgie

Like many others in the “logical” profession, I have been pre-conditioned to avoid complexity at every opportunity. Too often we seek simplicity where none really belongs.

The world depends on ambiguity variety and uncertainty so our systems must also have sufficient complexity; or as Ashby’s Law would call it: requisite variety.

Complexity and simplicity are not always antonyms. Sadly, in the drive for simplification, we are usually left with systems that simply cannot cope with complexity and that is when the real trouble begins.

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  • http://servicefab.blogspot.com/ Nigel Grren

    Hi Colin,

    I accept that some types of complexity are necessary/desirable however, I’ve always found simplicity wins-out when it comes to communicating ideas. But in simplicity is not a universal answer but then again neither is complexity.

    My personal experience as an EA has also taught me that sophisticated systems (that some might call ‘complex’) can be built from very simple patterns. All the dictionaries I’ve checked tell me complexity is the antonym of simplicity…but I think your point is that is not always appropriate to try to simplify and over-simplification is unhelpful in which case I agree.

    Nigel.

  • http://marioferreira.synthasite.com Mario Luis Tavares Ferreira

    Hi Colin,

    Another great post!

    Yes! I agree with 100%. Like order and disorder (Chaos). Actually, chaos is a level, or a grade, of order, they aren’t also the opposite.

    I think that one point that naturally takes us to avoid complexity is our mental models and how we were “trained”.

    Mostly our basic education is on linear models and linear time perspective. So, to see complexity, to have systemic vision, to accept that we live in a complex world, it takes some re-education and a lot of effort to understand it.

    I am not an expert in Business Intelligence Systems or Custom Relationship Systems or Performance Management Systems, but I think that the end of your post could related with them…

    Cheers,

    Mario Ferreira

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