The nature of change, or, The law of unintended consequences : an introductory text to designing complex systems and managing change / John Mansfield.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mansfield, John.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Computational complexity.

Change.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (212 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

London : Imperial College Press, c2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This absorbing book provides a broad introduction to the surprising nature of change, and explains how the Law of Unintended Consequences arises from the waves of change following one simple change. Change is a constant topic of discussion, whether be it on climate, politics, technology, or any of the many other changes in our lives. However, does anyone truly understand what change is? Over time, mankind has deliberately built social and technology based systems that are goal-directed - there are goals to achieve and requirements to be met. Building such systems is man's way of planning for t

Contents:

Contents; List of Tables; List of Figures; Chapter 1. What Do We Mean by Change?; Chapter 2. Some Definitions; Chapter 3. Failure by Design; Chapter 4. Influence, Boundaries and Structure; Chapter 5. Change in Complex Systems; Chapter 6. Propagation; Chapter 7. Modelling and Modelling Mechanisms; Chapter 8. Simulation; Chapter 9. What Do We Do When a Change is Indicated?; Chapter 10. Implementing a System; Chapter 11. Real-World Change: EUREKA Class; Chapter 12. Real-World Change: Climate; Chapter 13. In the Future; Bibliography; Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9786612760150

9781282760158

1282760157

9781848165410

1848165412

OCLC:

670428934