This document discusses the concept of keeping software solutions simple (KISS principle) to reduce complexity. It covers types of complexity from micro to macro levels, and strategies to manage complexity such as abstraction, modularity, automation and delivery frequency. The goals are to simplify without compromising functionality, keep solutions flexible for change, and focus on delivering value to customers.

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simple software solutions to big business problems.
Making Software. Better.
KISS me quick
The Battle against complexity

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Intro

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Who & What
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KISS ?
4
What is it ?
Is it used ?
● Occam's razor,
● "Simplicityis the ultimate sophistication" - da Vinci
● "Less is more" - Van Der Rohe's
● "Perfectionis ….when there is nothing left to take away" de Saint Exupéry's

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Complexity[T]

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define: complexity
6

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Cynefin
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Obvious: known knowns
Complicated: known unknowns
Complex: unknown knowns
Chaotic: unknowable unknowns
Disorder: unknown domain allocation
ORDERED UNORDERED

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Systems Thinking
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● Analytic vs Systemic (e.g. Arch)
○ Break / Eval / Aggregate
○ Context / Eval Whole /
Encompass
● Interactions
● Details complexity
● Dynamic complexity

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Promise[Theory]
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● Obligation and Promises
● Agent Autonomy
● CFEngine
● Logic (directed) graph of complex
network relationships

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Measuring Complexity
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Micro (code)….
● Coverage
● Coupling and cohesion
● Halstead measures
● Duplication
Macro (project)….
● Tech
○ No of tech
○ Team maturity
○ Touchpoints
● Business
○ Size
○ Requirements maturity
○ Constraints (Time, Money…)

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Manifesto
11
Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
Working software over comprehensive documentation
Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
Responding to change over following a plan

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So What?

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What difference does it make ?
13
■ (Planned) Obsolescence
■ Future systems
■ Cognitive Load
■ ...what are you building ?

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Goals and Strategies

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Abstractions for simplification
15
● Simplify and use abstractions
● Keep things DRY
● UX design all-the-things
● Service Orientation..
● Just enough

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Design / Governance / (Pragmatic) Dictatorship
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■ More than just UI/UX/UR
■ Federated governance
■ Pizza Dog food teams
■ Who will decide and what will be left of them…(sic)

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Language[-MonoParadigm]
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■ Multi paradigm languages can provide flexibility… BUT!!!
○ Need Idioms
○ Be explicit about magic
○ Validity of private languages ?

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People and delivery
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■ Deliver often and assess
■ Reduce batch size
■ Full stack => full cycle : devops => desops
■ Recruit to the letter [T, N, M]
■ Diversify

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Isolation
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■ Local domains (internal vs external ; type aliases)
■ Micro all-the-things (beware the ‘fra-me-lith!’)
■ Reduce size, reduce coupling
■ Enable self service culture
■ Consumer contracts*

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Fin
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■ Pragmatic in all the things
■ Systemic thinking to hiring, design and delivery
■ Keep it Simple, Small
■ Be Nice

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Links & Questions..
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● https://eight2late.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/a
-short-note-on-project-complexity/
● https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynefin_Framewor
k
● https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halstead_complexi
ty_measures
● https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Function_point
● https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclomatic_comple
xity
● https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005AFNPNO/
● https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thinking-Promises-
Mark-Burgess-
ebook/dp/B01092PYG8/ref=sr_1_7
● https://eight2late.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/a
-short-note-on-project-complexity/
● https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00XJYVF44/
● https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rube_Goldberg_ma
chine
● https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KISS_principle
● https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_load
● https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promise_theory
● https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B59Tysg-
nEQZOGhsU0U5QXo0Sjg/view

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simple software solutions to big business problems.
Making Software. Better.
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