Complexity is defined as having multiple interconnected information sources where there is uncertainty. The more sources there are, the more links between them, and the greater the uncertainty, the more complex a system is and the harder it is to understand and manage. Critical complexity occurs when there are so many links and so much uncertainty that a system cannot be comprehended or controlled.

1. WHAT IS COMPLEXITY?
ONTONIX
© Copyright 2011, Ontonix S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of Ontonix S.r.l.

2. Disclaimer
The concepts and methods presented in this document are for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to be exhaustive. Ontonix assumes no liability or responsibility to
any person or company for direct or indirect damages resulting from the use of any information contained herein.
Any reproduction or distribution of this document, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Ontonix is prohibited.
Reverse-engineering of the concepts, methods or ideas contained in this document is strictly forbidden. The methods described in the present document are protected by US
patents.
OntoSpace is a trademark of Ontonix. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Copyright © 2011 Ontonix S.r.l. All Rights Reserved.
© Copyright 2011, Ontonix S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of Ontonix S.r.l.

3. What is Complexity
• This short presentations offers a simple illustration of what
ONTONIX means by complexity. Our definition of complexity
is intuitive and reflects how the wide public perceives it.
• Complexity is a function of:
– Multiple information sources,
– Which are linked (inter-dependent),
– And which are often uncertain.
• With an increasing number of links and in the presence of
high uncertainty, it is impossible to comprehend a system
and to manage it. This corresponds to critical complexity.
© Copyright 2011, Ontonix S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of Ontonix S.r.l.

4. Information sources are linked butof information
Multiple but independenthighly dependent anddependencies is moderate
sources number of uncertain
Value Chain Modelling
? ?
IT Infrastructure ? Strategy Formulation
?
?
Supply Chain Scenario Modelling
? ?
? ?
Global Economy Business Plan Creation
? ?
? ?
Performance Optimisation Supply Chain
? ?
Organisational Design
© Copyright 2011, Ontonix S.r.l. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of Ontonix S.r.l.