Citation (IEEE): INCOSE Complex Systems Working Group, “A Complexity Primer for Systems Engineers,” International Council on Systems Engineering, San Diego, CA, USA, White Paper, Jul. 2016. Distribution restricted to INCOSE members.
What it argues
A short primer that introduces systems engineers to complexity science. It distinguishes complex systems, whose behavior emerges from interactions and adaptation, from merely complicated ones. It describes characteristic features such as nonlinearity, emergence, self-organization and adaptation, and suggests how engineering approaches should change for complex systems: more iteration and experimentation, diverse perspectives, and designs that remain resilient and adaptable.