From chaos to complexity

From

Chaos
to

Complexity
-‐

A
Point
of
View
for

the
Manager
in
the

21st
Century
Stefan
Haas
Agile
Coach
&

Trainer
@haaslab
www.haaslab.net

„I

am
very
relaxed

now,
since
I
am

responsible
for
what
I

am
saying,
you
are

responsible
for
what

you
are
hearing”

Humberto
Maturana,
transmediale08,
2008,
Berlin,
Haus
der
Kulturen
der
Welt

Charlie
Todd:
The
shared
experience
of
absurdity,
TED,
2011

BARRIERS

TO
FURTHER

AGILE
ADOPTION

For
over
half
of
the

respondents,
the
inability

to
change
their

organization’s
culture

was
the
biggest

problem.

http://www.versionone.com/pdf/2011_State_of_Agile_Development_Survey_Results.pdf

What
is
a

complex
system?

“complexity

entails
that,
in
a

system,
there
are

more
possibiliNes

than
can
be

actualized”

Niklas
Luhmann
in
Complexity
&
Postmodernism,
Paul
Cilliers,
1998

(i)
Complex
systems
consist
of
a
large
number
of
elements
...
convenNonal
means
...
cease
to

assist
in
any
understanding
of
the
system.
(ii)
In
order
to
consNtute
a
complex
system,
the
elements
have
to
interact,
and
this
interacNon

must
be
dynamic.
The
interacNons
do
not
have
to
be
physical;
they
can
also
be
thought
of
as

the
transference
of
informa.on.
(iii)
The
interacNon
is
fairly
rich
...
The
behaviour
of
the
system,
however,
is
not
determined
by

the
exact
amount
of
interacNons.
(iv)
...
interacNons
are
non-‐linear
...
(v)
The
interacNons
usually
have
a
fairly
short
range,
i.e.
informaNon
is
received
primarily
from

immediate
neighbours
...
This
does
not
preclude
wide
ranging
influence
-‐
since
interacNon
is

rich,
the
route
from
one
element
to
any
other
can
usually
be
covered
in
a
few
steps.
As
a
result

the
influence
gets
modulated
along
the
way.
(vi)
There
are
loops
in
the
interacNons.
The
effect
of
any
acNvity
can
feed
back
onto
itself,

someNmes
directly,
someNmes
aVer
a
number
of
intervening
stages.
This
feedback
can
be

posiNve
...
or
negaNve...
recurrency.
(vii)
Complex
systems
are
usually
open
systems...
it
is
oVen
difficult
to
define
the
border
of
a

complex
system
...
the
scope
...
is
...
determined
by
the
purpose
of
the
descrip.on
of
the

system,
and
is
...
influenced
by
the
posiNon
of
the
observer...
framing.
(viii)
Complex
systems
operate
under
condiNons
far
from
from
equilibrium.
...
Equilibrium
is

another
word
for
death.
(xi)
Complex
systems
have
a
history.
Not
only
do
they
evolve
through
Nme,
but
their
past
is
co-‐
responsible
for
their
present
behaviour.
(x)
Each
element
in
the
system
is
ignorant
of
the
behaviour
of
the
system
as
a
whole.
Complexity
&
Postmodernism,
Paul
Cilliers,
1998

many

(i)
Complex
systems
consist
of
a
large
number
of
elements
...
convenNonal
means
...
cease
to

assist
in
any
understanding
of
the
system.
elements

(ii)
In
order
to
consNtute
a
complex
system,
the
elements
have
to
interact,
and
this
interacNon

must
be
dynamic.
The
interacNons
do
not
have
to
be
physical;
they
can
also
be
thought
of
as

interact

the
transference
of
informa.on.
(iii)
The
interacNon
is
fairly
rich
...
The
behaviour
of
the
system,
however,
is
not
determined
by

the
exact
amount
of
interacNons.
dynamically,

(iv)
...
interacNons
are
non-‐linear
...
(v)
The
interacNons
usually
have
a
fairly
short
range,
i.e.
informaNon
is
received
primarily
from

non-‐linear
and

immediate
neighbours
...
This
does
not
preclude
wide
ranging
influence
-‐
since
interacNon
is

rich,
the
route
from
one
element
to
any
other
can
usually
be
covered
in
a
few
steps.
As
a
result

rich

the
influence
gets
modulated
along
the
way.
(vi)
There
are
loops
in
the
interacNons.
The
effect
of
any
acNvity
can
feed
back
onto
itself,

someNmes
directly,
someNmes
aVer
a
number
of
intervening
stages.
This
feedback
can
be

posiNve
...
or
negaNve...
recurrency.
(vii)
Complex
systems
are
usually
open
systems...
it
is
oVen
difficult
to
define
the
border
of
a

complex
system
...
the
scope
...
is
...
determined
by
the
purpose
of
the
descrip.on
of
the

system,
and
is
...
influenced
by
the
posiNon
of
the
observer...
framing.
(viii)
Complex
systems
operate
under
condiNons
far
from
from
equilibrium.
...
Equilibrium
is

another
word
for
death.
(xi)
Complex
systems
have
a
history.
Not
only
do
they
evolve
through
Nme,
but
their
past
is
co-‐
responsible
for
their
present
behaviour.
(x)
Each
element
in
the
system
is
ignorant
of
the
behaviour
of
the
system
as
a
whole.
Complexity
&Postmodernism,
Paul
Cilliers,
1998

many

(i)
Complex
systems
consist
of
a
large
number
of
elements
...
convenNonal
means
...
cease
to

assist
in
any
understanding
of
the
system.
elements

(ii)
In
order
to
consNtute
a
complex
system,
the
elements
have
to
interact,
and
this
interacNon

must
be
dynamic.
The
interacNons
do
not
have
to
be
physical;
they
can
also
be
thought
of
as

interact

the
transference
of
informa.on.
(iii)
The
interacNon
is
fairly
rich
...
The
behaviour
of
the
system,
however,
is
not
determined
by

the
exact
amount
of
interacNons.
dynamically,

(iv)
...
interacNons
are
non-‐linear
...
(v)
The
interacNons
usually
have
a
fairly
short
range,
i.e.
informaNon
is
received
primarily
from

non-‐linear
and

immediate
neighbours
...
This
does
not
preclude
wide
ranging
influence
-‐
since
interacNon
is

rich,
the
route
from
one
element
to
any
other
can
usually
be
covered
in
a
few
steps.
As
a
result

rich
The

the
influence
gets
modulated
along
the
way.
(vi)
There
are
loops
in
the
interacNons.
The
effect
of
any
acNvity
can
feed
back
onto
itself,

interacNons

someNmes
directly,
someNmes
aVer
a
number
of
intervening
stages.
This
feedback
can
be

posiNve
...
or
negaNve...
recurrency.
can
also
be

(vii)
Complex
systems
are
usually
open
systems...
it
is
oVen
difficult
to
define
the
border
of
a

complex
system
...
the
scope
...
is
...
determined
by
the
purpose
of
the
descrip.on
of
the

thought
of
as
the

system,
and
is
...
influenced
by
the
posiNon
of
the
observer...
framing.
(viii)
Complex
systems
operate
under
condiNons
far
from
from
equilibrium.
...
Equilibrium
is

transference
of

another
word
for
death.
(xi)
Complex
systems
have
a
history.
Not
only
do
they
evolve
through
Nme,
but
their
past
is
co-‐
responsible
for
their
present
behaviour.
informa.on
(x)
Each
element
in
the
system
is
ignorant
of
the
behaviour
of
the
system
as
a
whole.
Complexity
&Postmodernism,
Paul
Cilliers,
1998

many

(i)
Complex
systems
consist
of
a
large
number
of
elements
...
convenNonal
means
...
cease
to

assist
in
any
understanding
of
the
system.
elements

(ii)
In
order
to
consNtute
a
complex
system,
the
elements
have
to
interact,
and
this
interacNon

Complex

must
be
dynamic.
The
interacNons
do
not
have
to
be
physical;
they
can
also
be
thought
of
as

interact

the
transference
of
informa.on.
systems
are

(iii)
The
interacNon
is
fairly
rich
...
The
behaviour
of
the
system,
however,
is
not
determined
by

the
exact
amount
of
interacNons.
dynamically,
open
systems
(iv)
...
interacNons
are
non-‐linear
...
(v)
The
interacNons
usually
have
a
fairly
short
range,
i.e.
informaNon
is
received
primarily
from

non-‐linear
and

immediate
neighbours
...
This
does
not
preclude
wide
ranging
influence
-‐
since
interacNon
is

rich,
the
route
from
one
element
to
any
other
can
usually
be
covered
in
a
few
steps.
As
a
result

rich
The

the
influence
gets
modulated
along
the
way.
(vi)
There
are
loops
in
the
interacNons.
The
effect
of
any
acNvity
can
feed
back
onto
itself,

interacNons

someNmes
directly,
someNmes
aVer
a
number
of
intervening
stages.
This
feedback
can
be

posiNve
...
or
negaNve...
recurrency.
can
also
be

(vii)
Complex
systems
are
usually
open
systems...
it
is
oVen
difficult
to
define
the
border
of
a

complex
system
...
the
scope
...
is
...
determined
by
the
purpose
of
the
descrip.on
of
the

thought
of
as
the

system,
and
is
...
influenced
by
the
posiNon
of
the
observer...
framing.
(viii)
Complex
systems
operate
under
condiNons
far
from
from
equilibrium.
...
Equilibrium
is

transference
of

another
word
for
death.
(xi)
Complex
systems
have
a
history.
Not
only
do
they
evolve
through
Nme,
but
their
past
is
co-‐
responsible
for
their
present
behaviour.
informa.on
(x)
Each
element
in
the
system
is
ignorant
of
the
behaviour
of
the
system
as
a
whole.
Complexity
&Postmodernism,
Paul
Cilliers,
1998

many
Complex

(i)
Complex
systems
consist
of
a
large
number
of
elements
...
convenNonal
means
...
cease
to

assist
in
any
understanding
of
the
system.
elements
systems

(ii)
In
order
to
consNtute
a
complex
system,
the
elements
have
to
interact,
and
this
interacNon

Complex

must
be
dynamic.
The
interacNons
do
not
have
to
be
physical;
they
can
also
be
thought
of
as

interact

the
transference
of
informa.on.
systems
are
have
a

(iii)
The
interacNon
is
fairly
rich
...
The
behaviour
of
the
system,
however,
is
not
determined
by

the
exact
amount
of
interacNons.
dynamically,
usually
open

(iv)
...
interacNons
are
non-‐linear
... history
(v)
The
interacNons
usually
have
a
fairly
short
range,
i.e.
informaNon
is
received
primarily
from

non-‐linear
and
systems
immediate
neighbours
...
This
does
not
preclude
wide
ranging
influence
-‐
since
interacNon
is

rich,
the
route
from
one
element
to
any
other
can
usually
be
covered
in
a
few
steps.
As
a
result

rich
The

the
influence
gets
modulated
along
the
way.
(vi)
There
are
loops
in
the
interacNons.
The
effect
of
any
acNvity
can
feed
back
onto
itself,

interacNons

someNmes
directly,
someNmes
aVer
a
number
of
intervening
stages.
This
feedback
can
be

posiNve
...
or
negaNve...
recurrency.
can
also
be

(vii)
Complex
systems
are
usually
open
systems...
it
is
oVen
difficult
to
define
the
border
of
a

complex
system
...
the
scope
...
is
...
determined
by
the
purpose
of
the
descrip.on
of
the

thought
of
as
the

system,
and
is
...
influenced
by
the
posiNon
of
the
observer...
framing.
(viii)
Complex
systems
operate
under
condiNons
far
from
from
equilibrium.
...
Equilibrium
is

transference
of

another
word
for
death.
(xi)
Complex
systems
have
a
history.
Not
only
do
they
evolve
through
Nme,
but
their
past
is
co-‐
responsible
for
their
present
behaviour.
informa.on
(x)
Each
element
in
the
system
is
ignorant
of
the
behaviour
of
the
system
as
a
whole.
Complexity
&Postmodernism,
Paul
Cilliers,
1998

many
Complex

(i)
Complex
systems
consist
of
a
large
number
of
elements
...
convenNonal
means
...
cease
to

assist
in
any
understanding
of
the
system.
elements
systems

(ii)
In
order
to
consNtute
a
complex
system,
the
elements
have
to
interact,
and
this
interacNon

Complex

must
be
dynamic.
The
interacNons
do
not
have
to
be
physical;
they
can
also
be
thought
of
as

interact

the
transference
of
informa.on.
systems
are
have
a

(iii)
The
interacNon
is
fairly
rich
...
The
behaviour
of
the
system,
however,
is
not
determined
by

the
exact
amount
of
interacNons.
dynamically,
usually
open

(iv)
...
interacNons
are
non-‐linear
... history
(v)
The
interacNons
usually
have
a
fairly
short
range,
i.e.
informaNon
is
received
primarily
from

non-‐linear
and
systems
immediate
neighbours
...
This
does
not
preclude
wide
ranging
influence
-‐
since
interacNon
is

rich,
the
route
from
one
element
to
any
other
can
usually
be
covered
in
a
few
steps.
As
a
result

rich
The

the
influence
gets
modulated
along
the
way.
(vi)
There
are
loops
in
the
interacNons.
The
effect
of
any
acNvity
can
feed
back
onto
itself,

interacNons

someNmes
directly,
someNmes
aVer
a
number
of
intervening
stages.
This
feedback
can
be

posiNve
...
or
negaNve...
recurrency.
can
also
be
interacNons

(vii)
Complex
systems
are
usually
open
systems...
it
is
oVen
difficult
to
define
the
border
of
a

complex
system
...
the
scope
...
is
...
determined
by
the
purpose
of
the
descrip.on
of
the

thought
of
as
the

system,
and
is
...
influenced
by
the
posiNon
of
the
observer...
framing. have
a
short

(viii)
Complex
systems
operate
under
condiNons
far
from
from
equilibrium.
...
Equilibrium
is

range
and
wide

transference
of

another
word
for
death.
(xi)
Complex
systems
have
a
history.
Not
only
do
they
evolve
through
Nme,
but
their
past
is
co-‐
responsible
for
their
present
behaviour. ranging

informa.on influence

(x)
Each
element
in
the
system
is
ignorant
of
the
behaviour
of
the
system
as
a
whole.
Complexity
&Postmodernism,
Paul
Cilliers,
1998

many
Complex

(i)
Complex
systems
consist
of
a
large
number
of
elements
...
convenNonal
means
...
cease
to

assist
in
any
understanding
of
the
system.
elements
systems

(ii)
In
order
to
consNtute
a
complex
system,
the
elements
have
to
interact,
and
this
interacNon

Complex

must
be
dynamic.
The
interacNons
do
not
have
to
be
physical;
they
can
also
be
thought
of
as

interact

the
transference
of
informa.on.
systems
are
have
a

(iii)
The
interacNon
is
fairly
rich
...
The
behaviour
of
the
system,
however,
is
not
determined
by

the
exact
amount
of
interacNons.
dynamically,
usually
open

(iv)
...
interacNons
are
non-‐linear
... history
(v)
The
interacNons
usually
have
a
fairly
short
range,
i.e.
informaNon
is
received
primarily
from

non-‐linear
and
systems
immediate
neighbours
...
This
does
not
preclude
wide
ranging
influence
-‐
since
interacNon
is

rich,
the
route
from
one
element
to
any
other
can
usually
be
covered
in
a
few
steps.
As
a
result

rich
The

the
influence
gets
modulated
along
the
way.
(vi)
There
are
loops
in
the
interacNons.
The
effect
of
any
acNvity
can
feed
back
onto
itself,

interacNons

someNmes
directly,
someNmes
aVer
a
number
of
intervening
stages.
This
feedback
can
be

posiNve
...
or
negaNve...
recurrency.
can
also
be
interacNons

(vii)
Complex
systems
are
usually
open
systems...
it
is
oVen
difficult
to
define
the
border
of
a

complex
system
...
the
scope
...
is
...
determined
by
the
purpose
of
the
descrip.on
of
the

thought
of
as
the

system,
and
is
...
influenced
by
the
posiNon
of
the
observer...
framing. have
a
short

(viii)
Complex
systems
operate
under
condiNons
far
from
from
equilibrium.
...
Equilibrium
is

range
and
wide

There
transference
of

another
word
for
death.
(xi)
Complex
systems
have
a
history.
Not
only
do
they
evolve
through
Nme,
but
their
past
is
co-‐
ranging

are
loops
in

responsible
for
their
present
behaviour.

(x)
Each
element
in
the
system
is
ignorant
of
the
behaviour
of
the
system
as
a
whole.
the
interacNons Complexity
&Postmodernism,
Paul
Cilliers,
1998

many
Complex

(i)
Complex
systems
consist
of
a
large
number
of
elements
...
convenNonal
means
...
cease
to

assist
in
any
understanding
of
the
system.
elements
systems

(ii)
In
order
to
consNtute
a
complex
system,
the
elements
have
to
interact,
and
this
interacNon

Complex

must
be
dynamic.
The
interacNons
do
not
have
to
be
physical;
they
can
also
be
thought
of
as

interact

the
transference
of
informa.on.
systems
are
have
a

(iii)
The
interacNon
is
fairly
rich
...
The
behaviour
of
the
system,
however,
is
not
determined
by

the
exact
amount
of
interacNons.
dynamically,
usually
open

(iv)
...
interacNons
are
non-‐linear
... history
(v)
The
interacNons
usually
have
a
fairly
short
range,
i.e.
informaNon
is
received
primarily
from

non-‐linear
and
systems
immediate
neighbours
...
This
does
not
preclude
wide
ranging
influence
-‐
since
interacNon
is

rich,
the
route
from
one
element
to
any
other
can
usually
be
covered
in
a
few
steps.
As
a
result

rich

Complex
The

the
influence
gets
modulated
along
the
way.
(vi)
There
are
loops
in
the
interacNons.
The
effect
of
any
acNvity
can
feed
back
onto
itself,

Systems
interacNons

someNmes
directly,
someNmes
aVer
a
number
of
intervening
stages.
This
feedback
can
be

posiNve
...
or
negaNve...
recurrency.
operate
far
from

can
also
be
interacNons

(vii)
Complex
systems
are
usually
open
systems...
it
is
oVen
difficult
to
define
the
border
of
a

equilibrium
complex
system
...
the
scope
...
is
...
determined
by
the
purpose
of
the
descrip.on
of
the

thought
of
as
the

system,
and
is
...
influenced
by
the
posiNon
of
the
observer...
framing. have
a
short

(viii)
Complex
systems
operate
under
condiNons
far
from
from
equilibrium.
...
Equilibrium
is

range
and
wide

There
transference
of

another
word
for
death.
(xi)
Complex
systems
have
a
history.
Not
only
do
they
evolve
through
Nme,
but
their
past
is
co-‐
ranging

are
loops
in

responsible
for
their
present
behaviour.

(x)
Each
element
in
the
system
is
ignorant
of
the
behaviour
of
the
system
as
a
whole.
the
&Postmodernism,
Paul
Cilliers,
1998

many
Complex

(i)
Complex
systems
consist
of
a
large
number
of
elements
...
convenNonal
means
...
cease
to

assist
in
any
understanding
of
the
system.
elements
systems

(ii)
In
order
to
consNtute
a
complex
system,
the
elements
have
to
interact,
and
this
interacNon

Complex

must
be
dynamic.
The
interacNons
do
not
have
to
be
physical;
they
can
also
be
thought
of
as

interact

the
transference
of
informa.on.
systems
are
have
a

(iii)
The
interacNon
is
fairly
rich
...
The
behaviour
of
the
system,
however,
is
not
determined
by

the
exact
amount
of
interacNons.
dynamically,
usually
open

(iv)
...
interacNons
are
non-‐linear
... history
Each

(v)
The
interacNons
usually
have
a
fairly
short
range,
i.e.
informaNon
is
received
primarily
from

non-‐linear
and
systems
immediate
neighbours
...
This
does
not
preclude
wide
ranging
influence
-‐
since
interacNon
is

rich,
the
route
from
one
element
to
any
other
can
usually
be
covered
in
a
in
tsteps.
As
a
result

element
few
he

rich

Complex
The

the
influence
gets
modulated
along
the
way.
system
is
ignorant

(vi)
There
are
loops
in
the
interacNons.
The
effect
of
any
acNvity
can
feed
back
onto
itself,

Systems
interacNons
of
the
behaviour
of

someNmes
directly,
someNmes
aVer
a
number
of
intervening
stages.
This
feedback
can
be

posiNve
...
or
negaNve...
recurrency.
operate
far
from

(vii)
Complex
systems
are
usually
open
systems...
it
is
oVen
difficult
to
define
the
aorder
of
a

the
system
as
b

can
also
be
interacNons

whole
equilibrium
complex
system
...
the
scope
...
is
...
determined
by
the
purpose
of
the
descrip.on
of
the

thought
of
as
the

system,
and
is
...
influenced
by
the
posiNon
of
the
observer...
framing. have
a
short

(viii)
Complex
systems
operate
under
condiNons
far
from
from
equilibrium.
...
Equilibrium
is

range
and
wide

There
transference
of

another
word
for
death.
(xi)
Complex
systems
have
a
history.
Not
only
do
they
evolve
through
Nme,
but
their
past
is
co-‐
ranging

are
loops
in

responsible
for
their
present
behaviour.

(x)
Each
element
in
the
system
is
ignorant
of
the
behaviour
of
the
system
as
a
whole.
the
&Postmodernism,
Paul
Cilliers,
1998

many
Complex

(i)
Complex
systems
consist
of
a
large
number
of
elements
...
convenNonal
means
...
cease
to

assist
in
any
understanding
of
the
system.
elements
systems

(ii)
In
order
to
consNtute
a
complex
system,
the
elements
have
to
interact,
and
this
interacNon

Complex

must
be
dynamic.
The
interacNons
do
not
have
to
be
physical;
they
can
also
be
thought
of
as

interact

the
transference
of
informa.on.
systems
are
have
a

(iii)
The
interacNon
is
fairly
rich
...
The
behaviour
of
the
system,
however,
is
not
determined
by

the
exact
amount
of
interacNons.
dynamically,
usually
open

(iv)
...
interacNons
are
non-‐linear
... history
Each

(v)
The
interacNons
usually
have
a
fairly
short
range,
i.e.
informaNon
is
received
primarily
from

non-‐linear
and
systems
immediate
neighbours
...
This
does
not
preclude
wide
ranging
influence
-‐
since
interacNon
is

What

rich,
the
route
from
one
element
to
any
other
can
usually
be
covered
in
a
in
tsteps.
As
a
result

element
few
he

rich

concrete

Complex
The

the
influence
gets
modulated
along
the
way.
system
is
ignorant

(vi)
There
are
loops
in
the
interacNons.
The
effect
of
any
acNvity
can
feed
back
onto
itself,

someNmes
directly,
of

examples
someNmes
aVer
a
number
of
intervening
he
behaviour
oan
be

Systems
interacNons
of
t stages.
This
feedback
c f

complex
systems

posiNve
...
or
negaNve...
recurrency.
operate
far
from

(vii)
Complex
systems
are
usually
open
systems...
it
is
oVen
difficult
to
define
the
aorder
of
a

the
system
as
b

can
also
be
interacNons

complex
system
...
the
of
...
is
...
determined
by
the
purpose
of
the
descrip.on
of
the

can
you
think
scope
whole
equilibrium
thought
of
as
the

system,
and
is
...
influenced
by
the
posiNon
of
the
observer...
framing.
NOW? have
a
short

(viii)
Complex
systems
operate
under
condiNons
far
from
from
equilibrium.
...
Equilibrium
is

range
and
wide

There
transference
of

another
word
for
death.
(xi)
Complex
systems
have
a
history.
Not
only
do
they
evolve
through
Nme,
but
their
past
is
co-‐
ranging

are
loops
in

responsible
for
their
present
behaviour.

(x)
Each
element
in
the
system
is
ignorant
of
the
behaviour
of
the
system
as
a
whole.
the
&Postmodernism,
Paul
Cilliers,
1998

Brains,
bacteria,
immune
systems,
the
Internet,

countries,
gardens,
ciLes,
beehives…
They’re
all
complex
adapLve
systems.

A
team
is
a
complex
adapLve
system
(CAS),

because
it
consists
of
parts
(people)
that
form
a

system
(team),
which
shows
complex
behavior

while
it
keeps
adap.ng
to
a
changing

environment.

Chaos

is
any
state

of
confusion
or

disorder,
randomness,

a
lack
of
intelligible

pattern
or

combination

hVp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos

Süddeutsche
Zeitung,
Nr.
176,
1.
August
2012

Kitty Kraus, People’s Choice Prize at the Hamburgerbahnhof 2011

The
Nunchaku
Bruce
Lee
vs
Danny
Inosanto,
"Game
of
Death"
(1978)

Once
there
was
a
software
business
with
unhappy
customers

Customer
satisfaction
was
low
because
of
low
quality
and
productivity

Quality
and
productivity
were
low
because
there
was
lack
of
skills
and
discipline

Customer
dissatisfaction
increased
pressure
on
teams

Stress
at
work
meant
no
time
for
education

No
education
meant
no
skills
and
no
discipline

Customer
pressure
led
to
unhappy
teams

Lack
of
skills
and
unhappy
customers
added
to
decreasing
motivation

Decreased
motivation
added
to
decreasing
productivity

We
call
this
a
Causal
Loop
Diagram

(Some
call
it
a
Diagram
of
Eﬀects)

It
shows
the
business
suﬀered
from
vicious
cycles

And
not
just
one,
but
many

Management
saw
revenues
declining

They
tried
to
support
improvement
while
cutting
budgets

Meanwhile,
technological
pressure
was
increasing

And
due
to
the
crisis,
economic
pressure
also
went
up

Needless
to
say,
this
business
was

DOOMED

Grow

Structure

Prinzessinnengärten
Berlin

„...organizaNons

which
design

systems
...
are
constrained

to
produce
designs
which

are
copies
of
the
com-‐
municaNon
structures
of

these
organizaNons.“

Conway’s
law

Agile

Agile
Team

Startup

Step
1:
Product
"The
minimum
plan

necessary
to
start
a

Scrum
project
consists
of

a
vision
and
a
Product

Backlog"

Step
1:
Product

Co-‐Create
the
Team

Vision
and
iniNal

Product
Backlog
with
the

Product
Owners

Step

2:
Journey
Lines

fosters
self-‐organizaNon

and
cross-‐funcNonal

behavior
because
it
reveals
a

person’s
skills,
experiences,

background.
This
way,
the
rest

of
the
team
knows
what

this
person
“brings
to

the
party.”

Journey Lines by Lyssa Adkins

Step
3:
Grow

Structure
Co-‐Design
the
team-‐
structure
and
decide
who
is

in
which
team,
agree
on
the

roles
and
what
the
teams

want
to
achieve

together.
Meddlers Game by Jurgen Appelo (Management 3.0)

Step
3:
Grow

Structure
Choose
team
members

according
to
interest
in

the
main
feature
area(s)

and
who
wants
to

work
together
Meddlers Game by Jurgen Appelo (Management 3.0)

Step
3:
Grow

Structure
Decide
on
structure
for

ﬁrst
teams
in
ﬁsh
bowl
hVp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishbowl_(conversaLon)

Complexity Thinking
1. Address
complexity
with
complexity
2. Use
a
diversity
of
perspecNves
3. Assume
dependence
on
context
4. Assume
subjecNvity
and
coevoluNon
5. AnNcipate,
adapt,
explore
6. Develop
models
in
collaboraNon
7. Shorten
the
feedback
cycle
8. Steal
and
tweak

Start
Complexity

Doing

When Faith Moves Mountains by Francis Alÿs

For
a
book
list
and
references
write
an
e-‐mail
to
stefan.haas@haaslab.net
or

contact
me
on
twiher
@haaslab

From chaos to complexity

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