Complexity and Complex Systems

In our work we frequently refer to undertaking analysis of complex systems, or reducing complexity in order to under understand how a given situation might be better understood or a solution developed to a complex problem. What do we mean though when we talk about a complex system or complexity analysis? This will be the first in a series of blogs about the concepts of complexity and the conduct of analysis in complex systems. The discussion is not intended to be authoritative in any way. It is simply an opportunity to consider  complexity and, perhaps, take some little steps towards understanding complexity and complex systems and their importance in human design.

Complexity - What is It?

It is probably easiest to start by stating what complexity is NOT.  The most certain thing to state up front is that complexity is NOT chaos. Chaos theory has its roots in mathematics, and anyone who wants to delve into the beauty of chaos theory is pointed to the work of Henri Poincaré, James Gleick and others. Personally I find the beauty and wonder of a Mandelbrot set a delight to explore. But chaos is NOT complexity.  There is a linkage between the concepts however, which we will explore in a later post.