Simplicity on the Other Side of Complexity An Introduction to Complexity Science and Management
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 1/19
Simplicity on the Other Side of Complexity
An Introduction toComplexity
Science and Management
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 2/19
I. Introductions and
Purpose
Introductions Faculty
Staff
Special Guests
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 3/19
Our Purpose To build understanding of
& confidence in usingcomplexity principles andpractices
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 4/19
Who Is In The Room?Connection Before Content
Find a “strange attractor”
“Exercise or Exorcism?”
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 5/19
II. How This Workshop Will Be
Different
Structured Improvisation Many activities may seem paradoxical: structured
with simple rules that draw out insight; familiar andfundamentally different
We will rely on emergence as well as formalmethods
We intend to have serious fun (and surprises) as welearn!
We will work at three levels throughout the day:transferring information, skill building, and mental
model shifting
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 6/19
D i s t r i b u t i o nT e c h n o l o g i e s
I n t e r a c t i v eT e c h n o l o g i e s
C o l l a b o r a t i v eT e c h n o l o g i e s
L e a r n i n g O b j e c t i v e s
D e l i v e r y A p p r o a c h
I n s t r u c t o r / E x p e r tC e n t e r e d
L e a r n e r C e n t e r e d
T e a m , P a r tn e r s h i p o r
C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r e d
I n f o r m a t i o n
T r a n s f e r
S k i l l o r
C o m p e t e n c yB u i l d i n g
M e n t a l M o d e lS h i f t &
K n o w l e d g e
C r e a t i o n
L e a r n i n g A t T h r e e L e v e l s
D e g r e e
o f C o m
p l e x i t y
A d a p t e d f r o m L o t u s I n s t i t u t e
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 7/19
The Illuminating, Profound
Poetry of Complexity Language can be used for poetry or prose. In a poem, the meaning
of words is far more dense. That is, each word may carry severalmeanings; and a sentence as a whole may carry an enormousdensity of interlocking meanings… together they illuminate the
whole from multiple perspectives. The more dense and embedded -- the more breadth and depth --
the more profound a poem can become.
Like poetry, this complexity course strings together many patternsin words, images & experience. Within the embedded patterns orfractals, we hope you will find simplicity illuminated… andlinked directly to multiple levels of your experience.
We hope for illumination both in the larger patterns in which yourwork is embedded (our ecology & economy) and the smallerpatterns that are embedded in it (day-to-day activities).
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 8/19
Creative Illumination
The poet’s eye, in a fine frenzy rolling,
Doth glance from heaven to earth, fromearth to heaven,
And, as imagination bodies forth
The forms of things unknown, the poet’s pen
Turns them into shapes, and gives to airynothing
A local habitation and name.
William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 9/19
Bridging PolaritiesWe will move from Either/Or to “Yes, And”
ThinkingComplexity
Clockware
Design
Simplicity
Swarmware
Emergence
Integrate
Operate
Include
Reduce Variation
Differentiate
Innovate
Transcend
Let go of control
Paradox frames the door to life. Charles Johnson
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 10/19
Workshop Agenda & Rules See Agenda for details Lunch & break times will be set as we go
Take responsibility for your own learning; votewith your feet during interactive sessions Expect to be provoked, challenged and
surprised -- complexity turns convention on itshead
Please turn off cellular phone and beepers Try to keep your “stuff” collected. We will be
moving about the room Phones and bathrooms are...
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 11/19
Relationship
Deepening
Purpose
Shifting
Information
Flowing
How We Will Measure
Success
See Handout
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 12/19
III. Seeing Through A
Complexity Lens
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 13/19
Inspiration from
Complex Adaptive Systems Definition: A collection of individual agents,
who have the freedom to act in unpredictable
ways, and whose actions are interconnected such that one agent’s actions changes thecontext for other agents.
Examples: termite colonies, stock markets, theInternet, gardens, human beings, groups of people
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 14/19
Defining
Complex Adaptive Systems Alternative CAS definition by Ralph Stacey:
CASs consist of a network of agents that
interact with each other according to a set of rules that require them to examine and respond to each other’s behavior toimprove their behavior and thus thebehavior of the system they comprise.
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 15/19
Attributes of Complex
Adaptive Systems Elements of the system change themselves (they adapt)
Complex behaviors can emerge from a few simple rulesthat are applied locally
Emergence of novelty & creativity is a natural state
Order emerges without central control Non-linearity: small changes can have BIG effects
Systems are embedded in systems & theirinterdependency matters
Not predictable in detail: forecasting is an inexact, yetboundable, art
Co-evolution of life proceeds through constant tension& balance
Adapted from Paul Plsek
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 16/19
Interdependent AttributesAdaptableElements
EmbeddedSystems
Co-Evolution
Non-Linearity
SimpleRules
Not Predicablein Detail
Order w/oCentralControl
NaturalEmergence &Creativity
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 17/19
Why Now? More of our world is connected, complex and
interdependent than ever before Entities that embrace these principles and practices seem
to adapt and grow; and, institutions that don’t, are notfunctioning well at all
New complexity science directly challenges pervasiveNewtonian “machine-age” thinking
Advances in biology & CASs are informing science &technology advances in other fields
Time and space have been compressed (the lags &
gaps have disappeared)
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 18/19
Complexity Lens
Reflection We are finely tuned “complex adaptive
systems,” especially when we are working atour highest intelligence & purpose. Describe a time or experience when a collaborative
effort created or encouraged something surprising. Itshould be something you are proud to have been a partof… a difference that made a difference. It can be avery small, subtle thing. It could be from your current
workplace or a past effort of any kind. See the Workbook Handout
8/7/2019 Complexity Intro Course
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/complexity-intro-course 19/19
When Complexity Practices Are Useful
When you are frustrated with current andpast approaches
When challenges are wicked and messy When you want to start something new
When there is little agreement orcertainty about how to respond *
* See the Zone of Complexity in Ralph Stacey’s diagram