Rudolph Oosthuizen, Dean Beale, Francesco Dazzi, Andrew C Pickard, Dorothy McKinney, Kenneth Cureton, Eileen Patrice Arnold
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Understanding Complexity: Defining a Moving Target
Systems engineering has transformed its understanding and management of complexity over the past 25 years. This article traces the evolution by analyzing 121 publications from INCOSE's journal and symposium proceedings between 1997 and 2024 to explore how definitions of complexity have shifted from structural metrics to dynamic, context-dependent phenomena shaped by emergent behaviors, stakeholder diversity, and uncertainty. It highlights key distinctions between complicated and complex systems, emphasizing why this matters in design, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. By embracing ambiguity, iterative learning, and multidisciplinary collaboration, engineers can design systems that are resilient and responsive to disruption. The results also underscore the vital role of human factors, including decision-making, cognition, and organizational behavior. We need a mindset shift: success in modern systems engineering depends not on eliminating complexity but on understanding, navigating, and leveraging it to build sustainable, adaptable systems for a changing world.
期刊介绍：
Official Journal of The British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing - includes original research and devlopment papers, technical and scientific reviews and case studies in the fields of NDT and CM.
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