In our daily lives, we often encounter both complicated and complex problems, but for many it is difficult to know exactly what distinguishes the two. We may assume that both are about something that is difficult to understand, but in reality they are about completely different ways of thinking about challenges.
Understanding the difference between complicated and complex can give us a better ability to tackle problems and find creative solutions, both at work and in our personal lives.
Complicated is something difficult, but understandable
Complicated is about systems or situations that, although they are difficult to understand, are actually understandable if you put in enough effort. A classic metaphor for complicated is a clock. A clock has many small parts that all play a specific role in the functioning of the whole system. It can be difficult for a non-expert to understand how each small part works – for example, the mechanism behind a clockwork – but it is still possible to understand the function of the clock if you study each part carefully enough.
Complex problems often require a deeper understanding and can take time to get to grips with. It is possible that an individual person does not understand every detail, but by working together or through years of research, an understanding can be reached. An example is the advances in technology and medicine that have taken years to map. Despite their difficulty, these systems are not complex in themselves – it is about collecting information and piecing together the information to get a complete picture. This is often the starting point for how many people think about research.
A complex system often requires a lot of knowledge to understand and operate, but if one part does not work – like a broken cog in a clock – the whole system will stop. It is one that in a linear relationship, if one component is not in place, the system will not function as it should.
Complex is more of a network of dependencies with unpredictable effects
Complexity, on the other hand, is about something completely different. Complex systems contain so many dependencies and interactions between different parts that the results become unpredictable. There is often a kind of conflict of goals here where a change in one area can lead to negative effects in another. This type of problem often requires more creativity than research – it is about finding new ways of thinking and creating solutions.
A good example of a complex system is traffic. We can say that traffic often has a “normal state”, where it works as it should, but if a small change occurs – such as an accident on the opposite side of the road – the entire traffic flow can be affected and lead to a traffic jam, even if the accident was not directly relevant to the side we are traveling on. In this case, it is about how all the cars and their movements are dependent on each other, and even though we know how most of these dependencies work, it is very difficult to predict exactly how a change in the system will affect the whole. Even though we do research and use advanced mathematics, we cannot take into account all possible aspects that predict exactly what will happen.
Complexity is not just about understanding how all the parts are connected, but also about realizing that there are many possible outcomes, and that we cannot always predict them. Another example is the conflicting goals of sustainability that affect a complex ecosystem. Take, for example, the dilemma of street lighting. On the one hand, it is about creating safety for people by keeping the streets lit at night, but on the other hand, the same lighting creates problems for bats that have their nesting areas there.
The solution to this complex problem is not simple: turning off all the street lights to protect the bats creates an unsafe environment for people, while keeping the lights on harms the bats. Here, the solution is about finding a creative system solution, such as using a different color of light that does not disturb the bats, but still provides enough light for people to feel safe. Researching each problem leads to a deeper understanding of the problem, but it is the creative idea that leads fastest to the solution.
Cynefin and Complex Systems
A useful way to understand complex and complicated systems is through the Cynefin framework, which divides problems into different categories. In this framework, there are four main systems for categorizing disorder, or something we don’t know what it is: the simple, the complicated, the complex, and the chaotic. Complex problems belong to the category where there are so many dependencies and uncertain factors that we cannot predict the outcome – we can only experiment and observe.
It may be worth mentioning here that chaotic systems are complex systems where the conditions change so quickly that different solutions are needed at different times. In chaotic systems, such as in some types of crisis situations, we cannot even predict anything about the outcome, and we must act quickly without waiting for understanding. Complex systems, such as traffic or environmental problems, require us to think creatively and be prepared for solutions to be dynamic and change over time.
Dealing with complex problems
When faced with complex problems, it is important to understand that there is no simple solution. It is not effective to solve complex systems by simply collecting more information or by digging deeper into each part. Instead, we must be creative and open to new ways of thinking and acting. The solution to complex problems often involves accepting that there are dependencies we cannot fully control and finding new ways to manage these dependencies.
Trying to solve a complex problem by only doing a detailed investigation risks getting us stuck in understanding the impossibilities instead of creating solutions. Here, it is often creativity, collaboration and an open mind that make the difference.
Research vs. Creativity
In the complicated, we can use research and investigation to understand and solve problems, while in the complex, the solution is often about being creative and finding new, innovative ways to deal with different dependencies. Understanding the difference between the complicated and the complex makes us better equipped to tackle challenges in a way that not only leads to solving the problems, but also gives us a greater understanding of the systems we are working with.
So the next time you are faced with a problem, think about whether it is complicated or complex. It can be crucial to how you approach and solve it!
