

Someone Is Wrong On The Internet About Systems Thinking
18 snips Sep 24, 2025
Join in as hosts dive into the nuances of Systems Thinking, igniting a lively debate sparked by a controversial article. They unravel how complex systems like water networks and social media evolve from simplicity, linking these ideas to software development practices. Misrepresentations in the discussed article provoke an examination of Healthcare.gov and high-speed rail projects as cautionary tales. Discover recommended reads that provide deeper insights into effective systems management, while the hosts extend an invitation for a spirited discussion on these vital concepts.
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Complex Systems Evolve From Simple Beginnings
- Gall's Law: complex working systems evolve from simple systems that worked rather than being designed fully upfront.
- This explains why direct attempts to build large complex systems usually fail.
Real-World Systems Grew Incrementally
- Big infrastructures like the internet, phone, and water systems grew by incremental connections, not by single grand designs.
- Software should follow this by starting small (MVP) and evolving rather than attempting full-scale upfront designs.
Don't Sprinkle Systems Thinking As A Fix
- Avoid treating systems thinking as a magic bullet you can sprinkle on complex projects to fix them instantly.
- Study foundational systems thinking instead of adopting shallow, misapplied labels.