System Complexity

Half the complexity of most systems is their initial organization. As I look at the systems within companies, and our government, I'm reminded that simple is always better. The less encumbered an organization is, the simpler it's processes can be. When you add layers to the organization of the system, the complexity grows, but must it?

In some cases the answer is yes, immutably. Volume always adds complexity because in every system there are gates and valves which are created for a certain throughput. When you increase volume you tax these constrictions. So, we must create further gates and valves in order to control flow through the initial gates and valves so as not to overwhelm them.

Can we make it better? Of course we can. How? Plan for expansion. When we create systems, think, up front, about the potential for growth in the system. When you plan for capacity, multiply it ten-fold, assess if that is realistic, and then back down from there according to budget. But, you have to address the trade-offs at some point. If you hit that ten-fold volume and didn't plan for it, the first thing that happens is that you have people in remote areas of the system creating valves and gates without regard to the downflow stream to others. They become myopic regarding their specific portion of the system. This causes people to start focusing on results instead of causes, which can lead to all sorts of crazy happenings.

There is no set answer to the problem here, but it is interesting to ponder in mechanical as well as political systems. In some instances with the political organizations, the complexities are designed into the system from the outset to force others to focus on results instead of causes. When we are drowning in media hype about how our "economy" is going to fail, it's easy to forget that we believe, as a principle, that government shouldn't be involved in our economy. When faced with the potential of unknown masked men flying planes into "our houses", it's easy to forget that WE DIDN'T do it and give up our individual liberties in favor of the appearance of increased safety.

The point being: The complexity of the system can be due to its volumetric requirements, or it can be falsely complex in order to confuse, entangle and confound its constituents. In the case of the American political system, the latter is becoming more and more true every day.