After unnecessary complexity has been reduced from the problem being solved, the scope of the solution to the problem is governed by the complexity of the problem. Complexity is needed to handle and process complexity. Systems acquire or accrete unnecessary complexity over time as originally unforeseen exceptions or changes are incorporated. It may be possible to reduce complexity by collapsing/compressing/combining/consolidating elements and by removing non-value-adding, duplicate, redundant activities. When unnecessary or accreted complexity in the problem being solved has been removed, you are left with necessary complexity that must be incorporated into the solution. Simple problems do not have complex solutions. Complex problems do not have simple solutions. The complexity factor of the proposed solution must match the complexity factor of the problem being resolved. Many system implementation and operational failures arise because of failure to understand and address the core complexity of the problem.

1. Complexity and Solution
Architecture
Alan McSweeney

2. Generalised Solution Architecture
Sub-System 1
Primary Processor
Sub-System 2
Monitor, Audit,
Manage
January 6, 2014
Sub-System 3
Control Data
Storage
and Flow
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3. Generalised Solution Architecture
•
Sub-System 1 - performs primary activities, functions that accepts
and process inputs, performs transformations and creates and
presents outputs, divided into multiple components, implements
and actualises processes and activities
•
Sub-System 2 - monitors, audits, measures, manages performance
and activities of the components of sub-system 1
•
Sub-System 3 - controls operation and communication and storage
of data between components of sub-system 1 and between subsystem 1 and sub-system 2
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4. Generalised Solution Architecture
•
Useful in defining the components of the solution
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5. Solution Views
Data View
Re
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W
lts
ha
ti
Vi
sG
ew
Cr e
Ac ea n
hi te era
Ou ev d/ te
d/
tp ed
ut /
Range of Data Being
Processed/Handled
Process View
Processes Enabled and
Actualised by Solution and its
Functions
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6. Solution Views And Their Interrelationships
Data View
Range of Data
Being Processed/
Handled
Results
Consist of
Created or
Transformed
Data
Processes
Read and
Generate Data
Process View
Results View
Processes Enabled
and Actualised by
Solution and
its Functions
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Processes
Generate
Results
What is Generated/
Created/Achieved
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7. Process View And Decomposition
Process 1
Activity 1.1
Task 1.1.1
Step 1.1.1.1
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…
Task 1.1.N
… Step 1.1.1.N
…
…
Process N
Activity 1.N
Task 1.N.1
…
Task 1.N.N
Step 1.N.N.1
… Step 1.N.N.N
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8. Data View And Decomposition
Data Type 1
Data Element 1.1
Data Attribute
1.1.1
Data Attribute
Value 1.1.1.1
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…
…
Data Attribute
1.1.N
Data Attribute
Value 1.1.1.N
…
…
Data Type N
Data Element 1.N
Data Attribute
1.N.1
…
Data Attribute
1.N.N
Data Attribute
Value 1.N.N.1
…
Data Attribute
Value 1.N.N.N
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9. Results/Outputs View And Decomposition
Output 1
Output Element
1.1
Output Attribute
1.1.1
Output Attribute
Value 1.1.1.1
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…
…
Output Attribute
1.1.N
Output Attribute
Value 1.1.1.N
…
…
Output N
Output Element
1.N
Output Attribute
1.N.1
…
Output Attribute
1.N.N
Output Attribute
Value 1.N.N.1
…
Output Attribute
Value 1.N.N.N
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10. Solution Views
Re
su
lts
V
ie
w
Data View
Process View
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11. Generalised Decomposition Of Solution Architecture
Solution Views
Data View
Process View
Results View
Range of Data
Processes Enabled What is Generated
Being Processed/ and Actualised by
/ Created/
Solution and Its Achieved/ Output
Handled
Functions
Sub-System 1
Solution Primary Processor
Architecture Sub-System 2
Component Monitor, Audit,
Manage
Views
Sub-System 3
Communication
and Storage of
Data
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12. Necessary And Unnecessary Complexity
•
Systems acquire or accrete unnecessary complexity over
time as originally unforeseen exceptions or changes are
incorporated
•
It may be possible to reduce complexity by
collapsing/compressing/combining/consolidating elements
and by removing non-value-adding, duplicate, redundant
activities
January 6, 2014
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13. Necessary And Unnecessary Complexity
•
When unnecessary or accreted complexity in the problem being
solved has been removed, you are left with necessary complexity
that must be incorporated into the solution
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14. Necessary/Core Complexity After Unnecessary
Complexity Removed
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15. Necessary Complexity Cannot Be Reduced
Pressure to Reduce
Complexity
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16. Uncompressible Complexity
Attempts To Reduce Complexity Will Give Rise To Increased
Complexity Elsewhere
Uncompressible Complexity Resembles A Waterbed – Push
Down In One Location And The Level Will Rise Elsewhere
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17. Ashby’s* Law Of Requisite Variety
•
Complexity is needed to handle and process complexity
•
Only complexity can implement complexity
•
The necessary/core complexity of the problem being
solved governs and guides the scope of the complexity of
the solution
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Ross_Ashby
http://www.rossashby.info/index.html
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18. Problem and Solution Complexity
Solution
Simple
Problem
Simple
Complex
Complex
Simple problems Simple problems do
not have complex
have simple
solutions
solutions
Complex problems Complex problems
do not have simple
have complex
solutions
solutions
•
Beware of attempts to oversimplify problems and their solutions to
attempt to save time and resources
•
Beware of attempts to introduce unnecessary complexity into simple
problems that mean wasted time and resources
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19. Failure To Address Complexity And Solution Failure
•
Complexity factor of the proposed solution must match
the complexity factor of the problem being resolved
•
Many system implementation and operational failures
arise because of failure to understand and address the
core complexity of the problem
•
Underlying complexity is all to frequently ignored or
misrepresented
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20. Beware Of Snake-Oil Salesmen Peddling Quick-Win
Panaceas To Complex Problems
AGILE!
January 6, 2014
Don’t be confused by
approaches to
implementation or
operation (the How) with
the complexity of what
has to be done (the
What) and how it needs
to operate in the long
term
CLOUD!
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21. More Information
Alan McSweeney
http://ie.linkedin.com/in/alanmcsweeney
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