Complicated or complex?
What’s the difference and why it matters
Complicated and complex. These words are often used interchangeably. In everyday conversations, the difference is not so important. But when it comes to solving problems, the difference becomes vital.
Simple
In problem solving contexts, simple is one end of the spectrum — the easiest one. Let us use an everyday example of a shoe. A slip-on shoe is simple. It is obvious which way to wear it. In fact, a central premise of good design is to make things simply obvious.
Problems in this domain are easy to understand. The answer is usually obvious.
Complicated
As per the Cambridge Dictionary, complicated involves a lot of parts in a way that is difficult to understand. This can equally apply to complex also.
A better distinction is provided by the Cynefin Framework which identifies five domains based on cause-effect relationships.
Complicated involves known unknowns.
In reality, it’s a bit more than that also. While there is a clear cause and effect relationship, this may not be obvious at first sight. The symptoms may be apparent but identifying the root causes and knowing how everything fits together requires further analysis.
Continuing with the shoe example, the situation is akin to put in a lace into a new sports shoe. There are two rows of eyelets into which a lace needs to be strung. The unknowns are known. Through systematic analysis of the target pattern (output), the lace in hand (input), and the purpose of the lace (outcome), the problem can be solved.
For complicated situations, having a plan is not enough. Execution also matters. In our example of putting a lace into a shoe, we can:
- Get it wrong — two lace ends don’t come out. This however is only a trap for new players because after our first time, we can apply the general principle of lacing a shoe to shoes of all types and laces of all lengths
- Get it right — we can lace the shoe in a simple pattern or a more elaborate pattern, if possible. Sometimes there is only one answer, sometimes a different answer is possible.
Complex
In contrast to complicated, Complex involves unknown unknowns.
Cause and effect relationships don’t pre-exist and are usually apparent only after some trial and error. The key term here is unknown unknowns. Due to this phenomenon, there is no correct answer. In complex situations, reality emerges through a series of “probe–sense–respond” interventions.
Going back to our shoe analogy, a complex challenge would be akin to re-imagining footwear. Instead of slip-ons or laced shoes, what about “wrap-around” shoes?
Constraints play an important part in resolving complex situations. They can however become a two-edged sword. On one hand, solving complex situations involves thinking beyond current limitations. However, transcending constraints typically launches us into a new domain. Is a wrap-around shoe a shoe or are we now designing socks with soles?
Complex is difficult to define. Which is why it’s complex!
Implications for problem solving
Problem solving requires investment of time, which is a scarce resource. Being able to distinguish different problem solving situations and tailor our approach accordingly, helps us solve problems more efficiently.
Understand simple
It’s important to distinguish simple vs complicated. This sounds easy but often we’re guilty of two things:
- Over complicating a simple situation
- Over simplifying a complicated situation
A truly simple situation is where there the solution is known, practiced widely and known to work. The concept of best practice is relevant here. It pays to understand what is truly simple and solve it with ruthless efficiency.
Understand complicated
Complicated problems occupy the vast fluid space between simple and complex problems. By understanding what comprises complicated, we’re best placed to solve all three types of problems more effectively.
Often, we’re guilty of undertaking shallow analysis that confuses complicated with complex. When we work systematically towards a solution, what initially seems complex is often revealed as complicated i.e. requiring relatively less mental resources to solve for. A particular target is “Agile”. How often do we see an agile approach taken to solve incrementally for a problem which is actually relatively straightforward? Problem solving methodologies should be proportional to the type of problem and the impact of the solution being generated.
When we distinguish complicated from simple and complicated from complex, we direct our problem solving energies more effectively.
3. Save the heavy artillery
I’m willing to bet that at 80% of the problems we face or know about sit in simple/complicated domain. Perhaps even more. In fact, what is complex today, may shift into the complicated domain tomorrow as our understanding and capabilities increase.
Very few things are truly complex.
It’s best to keep our powder dry for them.
