Practical ways to use General Systems Theory concepts

Think in Terms of Subsystems and Modularity

Break down your codebase into smaller, self-contained modules or services. Treat each module as a subsystem that handles a specific responsibility, such as user authentication, payment processing, or data storage.

This reduces complexity, makes the code easier to maintain, and allows individual parts of the system to evolve without affecting the entire codebase.

Example: In an object-oriented context, treat each class as an independent subsystem that interacts with others via public interfaces, keeping the boundaries clear and functionality focused.
Leverage Feedback Loops for Continuous Improvement

Implement feedback loops through continuous testing and user feedback. Set up automated tests (unit, integration, performance) to ensure code changes don’t break existing functionality, and gather user feedback post-deployment to guide future improvements.

Feedback loops allow for continuous improvement by catching errors early and providing a mechanism to adapt the system to user needs.

Example: Use CI/CD pipelines to automatically run tests whenever code is pushed, providing immediate feedback to developers on the impact of their changes.
Ensure Open System Adaptability

Design systems to be open by allowing them to interact with external systems and environments (e.g., APIs, external databases, third-party services). Keep adaptability in mind by making these interactions configurable.

Open systems must handle changes in their environment, such as API updates or fluctuating loads. By designing for adaptability, you can ensure your system evolves with its external dependencies.

Example: Use environment variables and configuration files for external API keys and service endpoints to allow your system to adapt without hardcoding dependencies.
Strive for System Homeostasis

Implement self-regulating mechanisms that ensure your system remains stable under changing conditions, such as increased traffic or resource failures. Tools like load balancers and auto-scaling ensure your system can handle fluctuations without manual intervention.

Maintaining homeostasis prevents system failures under stress and ensures consistent performance.

Example: Use cloud services like AWS Auto Scaling to automatically adjust the number of instances running based on traffic, ensuring system stability during peak usage.
Refactor to Reduce Entropy

Regularly refactor your code to reduce technical debt and complexity, keeping the system organised and efficient. Address code smells, redundant code, and inefficient design patterns before they lead to larger issues.

As systems evolve, entropy increases in the form of technical debt, making the system harder to manage. Refactoring helps maintain order and prevent degradation over time.

Example: Schedule code reviews and refactoring sprints to identify and address areas of high entropy in your codebase, such as overly complex functions or outdated libraries.
Embrace Emergence through Collaboration

Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing within your development team to create innovative solutions. The emergent behaviour of a system often arises from the combined knowledge and expertise of the team rather than from individual components.

Emergent properties can lead to creative, high-performing solutions that wouldn’t emerge from individual work alone.

Example: Organise brainstorming sessions or pair programming sessions to tackle complex challenges, allowing different perspectives and ideas to emerge and shape the solution.
Monitor and Analyse System Interconnectedness

Use monitoring tools like Prometheus, Grafana, or New Relic to track how different parts of your system interact and affect each other. Analyse how changes in one part of the system impact other parts.

Interconnected systems can exhibit complex behaviours where changes in one component have unexpected side effects on others. Monitoring helps you understand and anticipate these effects.

Example: Set up application performance monitoring (APM) to track how database query times affect web page load times or how microservice response times affect the overall user experience.
Document and Define Boundaries Clearly

Clearly define and document boundaries between different components or subsystems, especially when working with APIs, services, or modules. Ensure each system’s responsibilities are well-understood, and avoid coupling between subsystems.

Well-defined boundaries reduce dependencies and make it easier to isolate issues, debug problems, or update specific components without affecting others.

Example: Use interface-based designs in object-oriented programming to enforce separation between subsystems. For example, in a C# project, define service interfaces that clients interact with, keeping the underlying implementations decoupled and changeable.
Design for Adaptation and Scalability

Build your system with scalability and adaptation in mind, ensuring it can grow or change as user demands or technology evolve. Use cloud services that offer flexible scaling options or modular architectures that allow new features to be integrated easily.

A system designed for adaptation can evolve over time without major overhauls, making it more future-proof and cost-effective in the long run.

Example: Use containerisation with Docker or Kubernetes to make your system easily scalable and portable across environments, allowing it to adapt to changing demands or deployment requirements.
Use System Hierarchies to Simplify Complex Systems

Break down complex systems into hierarchical layers, where each layer handles a specific set of concerns. For example, create distinct layers for data access, business logic, and presentation in your application architecture.

A hierarchical structure simplifies development by separating concerns, making systems easier to understand, maintain, and debug.

Example: Implement a layered architecture in web development with a frontend that handles user interaction, a backend service that processes business logic, and a separate database layer for persistent storage.
Plan for System Evolution

Design your system with the expectation that it will evolve. Plan for regular updates, feature expansions, and adaptations to user feedback. Ensure the system architecture allows for easy updates and extensions.

Systems must evolve to stay relevant. Designing for evolution ensures that changes can be integrated smoothly without disrupting the overall system.

Example: In an Agile environment, continuously iterate on your codebase, incorporating new features based on user feedback and market changes. Keep your code modular to allow easy additions or modifications.