Complex solutions to problems are easy to find.
Making things simple while still being effective is the real challenge we face today.
Characteristics of a Complex Solution
- It’s easy to build.
- It’s not scalable.
- Changing one thing breaks the whole solution.
A complex solution starts with a very small, simple solution. Over time, the problem evolves. We keep adding fixes to the initial simple solution we designed. Over time, the small, simple solution we designed in the first place becomes a problem of its own. It’s not the simple solution we thought it was.
Characteristics of a Simple Solution
- It’s modular – to an extent.
- It’s scalable – to accommodate a large number of problems.
- It’s easy to maintain.
Designing simple solutions takes time and iteration. To build a simple solution, you have to build a complex one first.
Building a simple solution is a long process of cutting weight while remaining just as effective or even more as we progress.
Design complex solutions in the beginning, and then keep working to make them simpler.