up:: [[Constraints]] > [!cite] What Are Constraints in a Complex System? by Chris Corrigan > The Complexity Lounge (2019) _Chris Corrigan - What Are Constraints in a Complex System?_ (online video). Available at: https://vimeo.com/564906712 (Accessed: 19/12/2023). In his [video](https://vimeo.com/564906712) [[@Chris Corrigan|Corrigan]] describes the two main types of [[Constraints]] 1/ [[Context-free Constraints|Governing Constraints]] (what [[@Alicia Juarrero]] calls [[Context-free Constraints]]), and 2/ [[Context-sensitive Constraints|Enabling Constraints]] (what [[@Alicia Juarrero]] calls [[Context-sensitive Constraints]]). He also introduces the idea of first-order and second-order constraints. > [!example] Examples of Governing Constraints > Fiscal year-end, budgeting procedures, and contracts > [!example] Examples of Enabling Constraints > Policy frameworks, team charters, and project mandates When working with complex systems you're trying to shift a pattern. These patterns emerge as a result of the self-organising interaction of the parts of the whole. The self-organisation itself being the result of constraints that make some things more probable than others. To further develop the set of constraints, [[@Chris Corrigan|Chris]] refers to the work of [[@Dave Snowden]] and his [[ABIDE]] acronym ([[Attractors]], [[Boundaries]], [[Identity]], [[Cognitive Diversity|Diversity]], [[Environment]]). The following article by [[@Dave Snowden|Dave]] discusses [[ABIDE]] > [!cite]- Fast falls the even tide > [Fast falls the even tide - The Cynefin Co](https://thecynefin.co/fast-falls-the-even-tide/) [[@Chris Corrigan|Chris]] then goes on to describe some common groupings of [[Constraints]] and associated considerations: ## Connections (and Exchanges) Agents in a pattern are connected. Think about the available [[Degrees of Freedom]]. Consider if connections should be tightened or loosened, or which new connections should be made, or existing connections broken. ### Exchanges Exchanges are related to connections. They are concerned with the stuff that flows over them e.g., resources, information, and power. Consider in which direction things are flowing, and why? How much stuff is flowing (shouting vs. keeping it to yourself)? The avaible capacity (bandwidth) of the exchange, how much stuff it can handle? ## Attractors (and Boundaries) [[Attractors]] create [[Coherence]], and [[Boundaries]] create difference. These are important [[Constraints]], because without them you don't have context. You can't create [[Attractors]], you can only create a [[Catalyst]] and see what happens. [[Attractors]] bring things together; behaviours and actions organise around them. - [[Point Attractor]]: purpose and focus - [[Periodic Attractor]]: rhythms, cycles, waves e.g., [[Quarterly Business Review]] (too often, or not often enough) - [[Strange Attractor]]: appear out of thin air e.g., racism, poverty (the power of narrative is important here) ### Boundaries [[Boundaries]] separate things and create differences. In [[70 Evolutionary Potential/The Vault/Complexity|Complexity]] differences hold the potential for change. They're really important ⚠. Consider the rigidity of the boundary, is it formal and ridgid or informal and fluid? How tight is it, is it very tight or more open? Is it permeable, letting lof of stuff cross it, or does it tightly control what gets in or out. If you have [[Power]] you can create boundaries. ## Identity [[Identity]] is a special kind of [[Constraints| constraint]]. [[Identity|Identities]] include individual or group characteristics, which are influenced by all kind of factors. Also, people and groups have multiple identities, and it is the context that makes each of them more or less important in the moment. ###### Related left:: [[ABIDE]], [[The Adjacent Possible]]