This document discusses different levels of simplicity, complexity, and chaos in design. It introduces Thomas Vander Wal's Cynefin framework, which categorizes systems as simple, complicated, or complex. Simple systems have straightforward cause-and-effect relationships, while complicated systems can be analyzed systematically but may not be straightforward. Complex systems cannot be fully understood through analysis alone and require small, adaptive solutions. The document advocates embracing complexity rather than chaos by understanding core dimensions and interactions to improve design.

1. Understanding
Complicated, Complex, and
Chaos to Improve Design
Thomas Vander Wal :: Design for Context
DC UX Camp :: 6 January 2013

2. Simplicity First

3. Simplicity First ?

4. Our World and
Interactions are
not Simple

5. Who is Thomas?

6. Simple or Simplicity?

7. Simple: Plain, basic, or
uncomplicated in form,
nature, or design

8. Simplicity: The quality or
condition of being easy to
understand or do

9. Simple is state related
------
Simplicity is a result of
what is/has been applied

10. To put simplicity first we must
understand the other dimensions

11. Complicated or Complex

12. Complicated or
Complex

13. Complicated or Complex?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73416633@N00/89107383/

14. Scaling and Functionality
D A - Personal Use
B - Serendipity
C
People Participating
C - Mature Social
Tool
B D - Complex Social
System
A
# of Objects in System
InfoCloud Solutions, Inc. - 2012

16. Dave Snowden &
Cynefin Framework

17. Dave Snowden’s
Cynefin Framework

18. http://cognitive-edge.com/blog/entry/5802/cynefin-revised-leadership-table/

19. Simple, Complicated,
and Complex

20. Simple :: Blocks

21. Complicated :: Grids

22. Complex :: Fractals

23. Start by mapping
core dimensions

24. Map the interactions
between dimensions

25. Work to boil down to
its basic dimensions

26. If you can get it to a
matrix you are working
with complicated

27. Complicated can use
good practices and can
be straight forward

28. More than matrix
dimensions you are
dealing with complex

29. Complexity requires
monitoring and small actions
and adaptable solutions

30. Chaos is from not
understanding the
problem well enough

31. Work to get out of
chaos and embrace the
complexity

32. Fractals are not built
from chaos, but from
complexity

33. Chaos is the unknown,
not the unknowable

34. Things happen because
of an action or activity,
seeing the outcome lets
us know there is
something there

35. Prod to make it easier
to see and discover
then unknown

36. Complex Actions

37. Find the intent, actions,
and force

38. Run to the light of
complexity - Mike Kuinavsky

39. InfoCloud Solutions, Inc. - 2012