Complex systems are no longer mysterious.Complex systems are no longer mysterious. We have a broad consensus aboutWe have a broad consensus about –what we mean by a complex system, –what their properties are, and –how they operate. It’s time to put complex systems to work.It’s time to put complex systems to work.

Multi-scalar, i.e., multiple levels of abstractionMulti-scalar, i.e., multiple levels of abstraction –IT systems involve quantum physics, solid-state electronics, gates & logic, software (often many levels), CONOPs, … –Prone to phase transitions/chaos: small change → big effect. –Each level illustrates emergence, sometimes planned sometime unplanned. If the system involves real physical stuff …If the system involves real physical stuff … –No useful bottom level. Quarks? Quantum waves? Strings? E.g., an evolutionary arms race.E.g., an evolutionary arms race. –The levels cannot be completely isolated from each other or we would have magic, i.e., new sources of causation, e.g., vitalism..or we would have magic, i.e., new sources of causation, e.g., vitalism.. except when implemented in software.except when implemented in software. Includes “loosely coupled” components with a certain degree of autonomy, e.g., agents.Includes “loosely coupled” components with a certain degree of autonomy, e.g., agents.

Entangled with its environment.Entangled with its environment. –Built to act on its environment—to do something in the world. –Can often be controlled/manipulated by modifying its environment. Each level of abstraction is often a multi-sided platform.Each level of abstraction is often a multi-sided platform. –An operating system, a browser, a shopping center, a standard. –Whoever owns it controls it! (See governance below.) Boundaries are deliberately permeable and indistinct.Boundaries are deliberately permeable and indistinct. –Exchanges energy and materials with its environment: eats & excretes. –Must extract energy from its environment to persist. (Far from equilibrium.) –System of systems; the operator goes home; a new president is elected. Must adapt to a continually changing environment—that is continually adapting to it.Must adapt to a continually changing environment—that is continually adapting to it. –Simultaneously deployed and under development and self-repair. e.g., us (you and me), a government, a corporation, Wikipedia.e.g., us (you and me), a government, a corporation, Wikipedia. –A social entity; hardware and software are only bones and nerves. –Requires a well thought out governance structure.

To refine, clarify, and formalize these concepts.To refine, clarify, and formalize these concepts. To make them intuitive, commonplace, and everyday.To make them intuitive, commonplace, and everyday. To make them operational.To make them operational. –To adapt them to practice in building real systems. –To define development processes based on these perspectives. –To build tools to allow anyone to use them.