Framework for Improving Complex System Performance

Abstract

AbstractThis paper introduces a framework for improvement of complex system performance. Complex systems are besieged with conditions marked by increasing uncertainty, emergence, and ambiguity. Additionally, demands for increased productivity, resource efficiencies, and performance improvement make new approaches paramount for modern systems engineers. In response, a framework to improve complex system performance is developed. Following an introduction, the paper pursues four objectives: (1) introduction of Complex System Governance (CSG) as a foundation to describe essential system functions, (2) suggest system ‘pathologies’ as an explanation for deep system performance issues, (3) exploration of system performance improvement as a function of ‘requisite variety’ to compensate for deep system issues, and (4) introduce a framework for complex system performance improvement using system pathologies as ‘unab‐sorbed variety’. The paper closes with some challenges for further development of the framework for deployment and application guidance for practitioners.