Complex systems evolve out of simple systems that worked

In this episode, our guest Trond Hjorteland is challenged with the heuristic “Complex systems evolve out of simple systems that worked” from Embedded Artistry repository (https://embeddedartistry.com/blog/2018/04/26/embedded-rules-of-thumb/). We discussed how communication is important, and moving from the big picture to code and back. He shares the techniques and practices to have crucial discussions with people with different perspectives involved in the creation of software.

Trond recommends the following resources:

• Anything from Umberto Eco (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umberto_Eco)
• Thinking in Systems: A Primer by Donella H. Meadows
• Ackoff’s Best: His Classic Writings on Management by Russell l. Ackoff
• The Infinite Monkey Cage podcast
• The Skeptics Guide to the Universe podcast

Trond (@trondhjort) is an IT architect and aspiring sociotechnical systems designer from the consulting firm Scienta.no and has many years experience with large, complex, and business-critical systems, primarily as a developer and architect on middleware and backend applications. His main interests are service-orientation, domain-driven design, event-driven architectures, and sociotechnical systems, working in industries like telecom, media, TV, and public sector. Mantra: Great products emerge from collaborative sensemaking and design.