Designing and Managing Complex Systems

Human Performance in Complex Systems introduces readers to the theory of complex systems, examining the role of humans within larger systems and the factors that affect human performance. Sections review the history of one particularly fruitful approach to complexity, providing an overview of complexity science that also discusses our current understanding of complex systems in a variety of domains, including physical, biological, mechanical and organizational. The author also introduces the idea that there are similarities between the successful architecture and control of both biological and organizational systems. Case studies concerning failures and successes within complex systems are also included.

The book concludes by using the preceding material to develop principles that can be applied for successful design and control of complex systems.

• Provides an overview of the background and scope of complexity science
• Reviews our current understanding of complex systems in a variety of domains (physical, biological, mechanical and organizational)
• Introduces the idea of similarities between the architecture and control of both biological and organizational systems
• Includes case studies that demonstrate the failures and successes within complex systems