Complex vs. Complicated

These two terms are often confused, but they are not the same thing.

When a team solves a complext problem together, the result is joy. Photo by Christian Battaglia on Unsplash

Complexity refers to the inherent difficulty of a system, process, or problem. It is a measure of the amount of information, components, or variables that are involved in a system. A system can be simple, with few components and little information, or complex, with many components and a lot of information. Complexity can be thought of as a measure of the degree to which a system is composed of interconnected parts.

Complication, on the other hand, refers to the difficulty of understanding or working with a system, process, or problem. A system can be complicated even if it is not inherently complex. A complicated system might have a lot of unnecessary or redundant components, poor documentation, or confusing interfaces, making it hard to understand or use.

An example of the difference between complexity and complication can be seen in a computer program:

• A program that performs a simple task such as a calculator, is relatively simple in its complexity as it has only a few components and a limited number of variables, but it can be complicated if it has poor user interface or it is not well-documented.
• A program that performs a complex task such as a video game, is relatively complex in its complexity as it has many components and a lot of variables, but it can be simple if it has a good user interface and it is well-documented.

In brief, complexity is about the inherent difficulty of a system, and complication is about the difficulty of working with it. In software development, it’s important to strive for both simplicity (low complexity) and ease of use (low complication).

Another example of the difference between a complex and a complicated challenge can be seen in the field of healthcare.

• A complex challenge in healthcare might be developing a cure for a disease such as cancer. Cancer is a complex disease that has many different types and causes, and developing a cure requires a deep understanding of the biology of the disease and the many different cells and processes involved.
• A complicated challenge in healthcare might be the implementation of a new electronic medical record (EMR) system in a hospital. While the EMR system itself may not be inherently complex, the implementation process can be complicated due to a variety of factors such as lack of standardization, resistance to change from staff, and integration with existing systems.

In this example, the challenge of developing a cure for cancer is complex as it requires a deep understanding of the disease, whereas the implementation of a new EMR system is complicated as it involves many different factors that need to be considered.

In general, complex challenges involve deep understanding and a lot of expertise, while complicated challenges involve many different components that need to be managed and coordinated.