Understanding Complicated, Complex, and Chaos to Improve Design
Thomas Vander Wal :: Design for ContextDC UX Camp :: 6 January 2013
Simplicity First
Simplicity First ?
Our World and Interactions are
not Simple
Who is Thomas?
Simple or Simplicity?
Simple: Plain, basic, or uncomplicated in form,
nature, or design
Simplicity: The quality or condition of being easy to
understand or do
Simple is state related------
Simplicity is a result of what is/has been applied
To put simplicity first we must understand the other dimensions
Complicated or Complex
Complicated orComplex
Complicated or Complex?http://www.flickr.com/photos/73416633@N00/89107383/
InfoCloud Solutions, Inc. - 2012
Scaling and FunctionalityPe
ople
Par
ticip
atin
g
# of Objects in System
A
A - Personal Use
B
B - SerendipityC C - Mature Social
Tool
D
D - Complex SocialSystem
Dave Snowden & Cynefin Framework
Dave Snowden’s Cynefin Framework
http://cognitive-edge.com/blog/entry/5802/cynefin-revised-leadership-table/
Simple, Complicated, and Complex
Simple :: Blocks
Complicated :: Grids
Complex :: Fractals
Start by mapping core dimensions
Map the interactions between dimensions
Work to boil down to its basic dimensions
If you can get it to a matrix you are working
with complicated
Complicated can use good practices and can
be straight forward
More than matrix dimensions you are
dealing with complex
Complexity requires monitoring and small actions
and adaptable solutions
Chaos is from not understanding the
problem well enough
Work to get out of chaos and embrace the
complexity
Fractals are not built from chaos, but from
complexity
Chaos is the unknown, not the unknowable
Things happen because of an action or activity, seeing the outcome lets
us know there is something there
Prod to make it easier to see and discover
then unknown
Complex Actions
Find the intent, actions, and force
Run to the light of complexity - Mike Kuinavsky
InfoCloud Solutions, Inc. - 2012
