Gall's Law Explained
Gall's Law states:
A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked. A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work. You have to start over with a working simple system.
Key Takeaways
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Evolution over Design: Functional complexity emerges through incremental improvement of simpler, working systems. Attempting to create a fully complex system from the outset usually leads to failure.
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Iterative Development: Start with a small, functional core and expand. This approach reduces risk, exposes flaws early, and allows for adaptive learning as requirements change.
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Refinement Through Feedback: Each stage of evolution provides feedback that informs the next iteration, ensuring the system aligns with real-world conditions and user needs.
Practical Implications
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Prototype First: Build minimal, working versions before scaling. Avoid grand designs that attempt to predict all variables.
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Favour Modularity: Architect systems as loosely coupled components. This allows for easier iteration, replacement, and scaling.
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Expect Change: Complex systems thrive on adaptability. Plan for continuous integration and improvement rather than perfection from the start.
Bottom Line
The most reliable path to building robust, complex systems is to begin with something small and functional, then evolve it through iterative cycles of learning, feedback, and refinement.