Complex or complicated: What's the difference?
Complex or complicated: What's the difference?
Without understanding this elementary difference, you will not reach your goal
Recognizing whether a problem is of a complicated or complex nature is a necessary prerequisite for finding a solution.
A distinction is often not made in everyday language:
This is a complex problem.
It's a complicated system.
Some people use complex as the intensified form of complicated. A complex problem would then be a more complicated problem.
A fundamental difference
The difference between a complex system and a complicated system is of a fundamental nature.
It is not a quantitative difference, but a qualitative one. This is because they behave differently. The complicated system is predictable, the complex system is unpredictable and reacts unexpectedly to changes.
What is complicated?
Complicated is a system that is difficult to get an overview of. Nevertheless, the complicated system can be understood by analyzing the individual parts.
For example, a mixing console is not immediately obvious to the layman. But with the help of a specialist or an instruction manual, you can learn to understand the functions.
Photo by chuttersnap
Complicated therefore has something to do with not knowing and a lack of comprehensibility.
Complexity is the measure of our ignorance. A problem (or: "unignorable event") is complicated because we do not understand it. Because we lack knowledge. This can be remedied by cramming or acquiring knowledge.
Roberto Poli writes:
„Complicated problems originate from causes that can be individually distinguished; they can be addressed piece-by-piece; for each input to the system there is a proportionate output; the relevant systems can be controlled and the problems they present admit permanent solutions.“
Solutions can be found for complicated systems that will work again and again and deliver the same effect. The solutions are reproducible.
Complex
Complexity means unpredictability. Complexity is the measure of the number of surprises you have to reckon with.
There is no simple cause-and-effect relationship. The influencing factors can influence or even reverse each other through interactions and feedback effects.
Complex means:
Outputs are not proportional or linear to inputs; small changes in one part of the system can cause unexpected outputs in other parts of the system or a system-wide reorganization.
Photo by H Shaw
Complex systems such as organizations can behave completely differently despite the same measures. The same solution that worked for one system may fail completely elsewhere. Solutions are not transferable.
Complexity is like the weather. There is nothing wrong with it. It's just bad not to be prepared for it. — »Komplexithoden«
Examples for complex systems:
the earth's global climate
social and economic organizations (such as companies and cities)
Ecosystems
Roberto Poli adds:
„Complex problems and systems result from networks of multiple interacting causes that cannot be individually distinguished; must be addressed as entire systems, that is they cannot be addressed in a piecemeal way; they are such that small inputs may result in disproportionate effects; the problems they present cannot be solved once and for ever, but require to be systematically managed and typically any intervention merges into new problems as a result of the interventions dealing with them.“
Surprisingly, most systems are complex in nature. Only complicated systems are the exception.
Various solution approaches
The solution to a complex problem cannot be approached in the same way as the solution to a complicated problem. They require different solution strategies.
Complicated systems can be analyzed and predictions can be made about the behavior of the system. Experts can help with this. Solutions can be reused.
Complex systems, on the other hand, defy an understanding of the overall relationships, as the factors influence each other.
„The distinction between complicated and complex systems is of immense importance, yet it is often overlooked. Decision-makers commonly mistake complex systems for simply complicated ones and look for solutions without realizing that ‘learning to dance’ with a complex system is definitely different from ‘solving’ the problems arising from it.“
If you handle complex things as if they were complicated, you are doomed to failure.
Complexity means that there can be a certain degree of control; but it is not complete control, the situation is not fully controllable. By recognizing patterns, some relationships can be understood.
In a complex environment, you cannot expect a comprehensive plan or strategy to work as intended. An approach of trying, learning and adapting is more likely to get you further. Mistakes can be made and risks can be taken.
However, you shouldn't make big bets on large projects or invest too much in comprehensive plans, but instead constantly learn in small steps and make appropriate adjustments.