Four areas where design and complexity interact – Johnson (2006). Many designed systems are complex e.g. aeroplanes, cities, information systems, organisations. Designers need to understand complex dynamic processes used to fabricate & manufacture products & systems – design, product & processes c0-evolve. Social & economic context of design is complex. Continue Reading
complexity
Classification of Hard and Soft Systems
Problem situations classified along two dimensions, according to Jackson and Keys (1984): complexity – number of of elements and their interactions divergence of values and interests Low complexity – few elements and well-defined, linear, stationary interactions. High complexity – many elements, many interrelationships, dynamic and not well-understood relationships in turbulent Continue Reading
Non-Linearity
Many systems display non-linear behaviour i.e. their outputs are not directly proportional to their inputs. Non-linear systems do not satisfy superposition principal, or superposition property. For all linear systems, net response at given place and time caused by two or more stimuli is sum of responses which would have been caused by Continue Reading