The cost of complexity

Like everything else, system complexity comes with significant trade-offs.

Just think about the mental overhead that's required when you decide to implement complex policies.

For example:

• Having 27 user roles in your system could be an administrator's nightmare.

• Having 18 different types of membership, each with six different variations in pricing, expiration date, term, and access to a different set of features and content, brings a lot of challenges when it's time to get everything straight.

The more complex these policies are, the more careful you have to be in implementing them. And when someone has a question about why the system behaves as it does, you've got a real task on your hands to figure it all out and explain it.

Even if the system is working right, the fact that you can't hold all the rules in your head at one time increases the mental stress of maintaining the system.

And mental stress is a cost.

Managing complex systems with confidence requires more systems to simplify that management. Good documentation. Automated testing. Staff training. Specialized interfaces.

Here's the thing:

If all of this helps you achieve a measurable business outcome, and the value of that outcome is great enough, then you're all set. Because you can afford to create those management systems.

But if the measurable business value is not there, why would you even bother?

Keep it simple, and sleep better at night.

All the best,
A.