Mastering Complexity

10

Representing Complexity

Often, we produce models so complicated others are unable to understand or accept them. We also are reluctant to admit that we do not always understand them ourselves.

We need models we all can understand so we can see whether what we have is what we want so we will not waste effort building something we do not really want. The earlier we catch false assumptions, the less effort we waste pursuing them.

A large aircraft manufacturer is constantly reducing cycle times and development costs. The manufacturer is excellent at project management, but it still takes too long to design and develop aircraft. In the 1990s, the manufacturer began a series of projects to reengineer their aircraft design process. The primary ...