Designing and Managing Complex Systems

Complexity science is a transdisciplinary subject involving complex systems that are multi-dimensional, consisting of a collection of interconnected relationships and parts. Managing complexity is an ongoing issue, particularly in organizations. Human Performance in Complex Systems introduces readers to the theory of complex systems, examining the role of the human within larger systems and the factors that affect human performance. The first section reviews the history of one particularly fruitful approach to complexity, providing an overview of complexity science. Next, the author discusses the current understanding of complex systems in a variety of domains including physical, biological, mechanical and organizational. Within these chapters author also, introduces the idea that there are similarities between the successful architecture and control of both biological and organizational systems. The third section focuses on case studies concerning failures and successes within complex systems, demonstrating how consilience design and control principles can lead to success and/or failure. The book concludes by using the preceding material to develop principles that can be applied for successful design and control of complex systems. Provides an overview of the background and scope of complexity science Reviews current understanding of complex systems in a variety of domains (physical, biological, mechanical and organizational) Introduces the idea of similarities between the architecture and control of both biological and organizational systems Includes case studies demonstrating the failures and successes within complex systems