The systems that surround us are often multidimensional, and complex, consisting of a large collection of networked components with convoluted connections between them. Designing and managing such systems can be challenging, particularly in organizations. Designing and Managing Complex Systems introduces readers to the theory of complex systems, examining the role of human within larger systems, the factors that affect system performance, and how such systems can be optimized. The first section reviews the history of one particularly fruitful approach to complexity, one based on knowledge of the human nervous system. Next, the author discusses the current understanding of complex systems in a variety of domains including physical, biological, mechanical, and organizational. Within these chapters the author also introduces the idea that there are marked similarities in how complexity is successfully managed across these different domains and how the ideas from one domain can be useful in other domains. Next, these ideas are synthesized into a framework for successfully designing and managing complex systems. The fourth section focuses on case studies concerning failures and successes within complex systems.
Please Note: This is an On Demand product, delivery may take up to 11 working days after payment has been received.
Table of Contents
Part I: Cybernetics
1.1 Control and communication
Part II: Learning from systems
2.1 The simplification imperative
2.2 The language of systems
2.3 Classes of systems
2.4 Neurobiological systems
2.5 Sociotechnical systems
2.6 Consilient dynamics across scales
Part III: Creating and managing systems
3.1 Introduction to part 3
3.2 Structure and function
3.3 Capability and adaptive capacity
3.4 Engineering resilience
3.5 Assessing the system properties of your organization
Part IV: Case studies
4.1 Challenger and Columbia
4.2 Walmart, FEMA, and Hurricane Katrina
4.3 Lake Peigneur
4.4 The water temples of Bali
4.5 The global financial crisis
4.6 Continental Airlines
4.7 Three Mile Island
4.8 Cybersyn and the trucking strike
4.9 Biological and informational viruses
4.10 Netflix
4.11 Fukushima
4.12 The Mumbai Dabbawalas
4.13 Flash Crash
4.14 Alphafold 2
Part V: Conclusion
5.1 Consilience with the arts
5.2 Conclusion