A conceptual framework for complex system design and design management

Abstract

Complex systems design and its design management are very difficult though there are lot of developments and research in the fields of systems engineering, and complex systems science. Although various authors have proposed approaches to deal with complex systems design and its management, what is missing is the holistic approach considering human centeredness of various stakeholders, their understanding and acting systemically. Currently, there is lack of a conceptual design and design management framework leveraging design thinking and systems thinking that take human-centeredness, understanding and acting of various stakeholders systemically into consideration. The aim of this paper is to explore the area of complex systems, design, its design management and their problems and how can design thinking and systems thinking be leveraged to overcome the problems of complex system design, its design management and to propose a conceptual framework. We found that there is a reciprocal influencing relationship between design thinking and systems thinking that will be beneficial to complex systems design and its management, especially in dealing the complex coercive relationships amongst stakeholders. The proposed conceptual complex system design and its management framework will be useful for complex system designers and complex system design managers in order to effectively manage the challenges of complex system design and its management problems in a complex dynamic environment.