
Where did simplicity go, or why is not appreciated?
Wherever I go, I see rooms full of complex diagrams and frameworks, long mission statements that are hard to remember, endless requirements, heavily written documents, and overcomplicated “solutions” that not always solve the problem. Complexity is not only the norm, it is what is expected.
Many organisation seems to have forgotten about the “less is more” mantra, instead, they are doing the opposite, mainly focusing on quantity. People perceive their work as less meaningful if they provide a shorter answer, making them just fill the pages with words that don’t add value and are not required, but that they consider are expected.
The longer the document, the more there is to show, the better work. Basically, “more is more”.
Yes, there are complex projects that require more detailed and additional information to articulate or support, but, those are the ones that where we should focus the most to simplify and avoid the clutter of adding things just for the sake of it. In many cases, all this information rather than helping, make things more difficult to understand.
How to expect an organisation to operate efficiently, if the surroundings are not promoting it? Maybe we need to start properly defining what does simple means.
Simple — Definition
- “Easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty.”
- [attributive] “Used to emphasize the fundamental and straightforward nature of something.”
- “Plain, basic, or uncomplicated in form, nature, or design; without much decoration or ornamentation.”
Everyone can write a 5000–10000 words document to elaborate a case, but can they do the same in one page or just 1000 words? Simple doesn’t mean easy or mediocre; in fact, it is harder to achieve because it requires more time, effort and thinking to get rid of the unnecessary elements.
Here is a interesting piece from Jason Fried, where he shares he’s views on this matter and his appreciation for editing as an essential skills, focusing on what really matters (and removing the unimportant) in order to gain clarity.
Each step requires asking ‘What’s really important?”
— Jason Fried
It’s time to stop worrying about quantity over quality, and to encourage others to do so. To work towards simpler ways to deliver and communicate, but most importantly, to think and focus first on what matter the most.
I believe, this is the foundation for the ultimate lean organisation; one where each and everyone of its employees are able to remove waste starting with their thinking. The rest will follow.

