Systems and Organizations 101

Simple, Complicated, and Complex

This article was inspired by founding subscriber, Joshua Zader.

Image by NASA

The universe is full of systems. They're so prevalent most of us know them when we see them. But a rough and ready definition couldn’t hurt. We can start simple and build outward:

A system is a collection of elements related in ways that work together.

For example, a solar system is a collection of planets around the sun. The Internet is a collection of computers connected by a set of protocols. A cell is a collection of smaller elements such as the mitochondria that do work in cells that compose the organs of the human body. We could go on, but things don’t get interesting until we start to see the differences among systems.

Distinguishing among different types of systems can get confusing if not boring. So we’ll sacrifice subtlety and get to the point. Consider a three-part distinction: simple, complicated, and complex systems.

Simple.
There is little or no change, variability, or interconnection among the elements of a simple system. Cause and effect are clear.
(Builder, meet hammer and nail.)

Complicated.
There are multiple, interconnected elements, but these are tightly coupled and work in a predictable, mostly linear fashion.
(Mechanic, meet the 747 aircraft.) 

Complex.
As with complicated systems, complex systems have multiple interconnected elements, but the interconnections are difficult if not impossible to limn or predict in their totality. Non-linear relationships and self-organizing aspects indicate these systems.
(Mayor, meet Manhattan.)

Some examples are more intuitive than others.