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Systemantics

Posted by timothy on from the and-to-all-a-good-day dept.

daltonlp writes with the review below of John Gall's 1977 work Systemantics, writing "Most of the systems described by the author are societal or economic systems (governments, corporations, universities). Computer programs are mentioned, but they aren't the primary focus. But Systemantics doesn't distinguish between types of systems. In fact, its theories and arguments seem especially applicable to computer systems." (Read more below.) Systemantics author John Gall pages 111 publisher Quadrangle / The New York Times Book Company (1977) rating Insightful +5 reviewer Lloyd Dalton ISBN 0812906748 summary "A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that works." Years ago, I saw this quote and committed it to memory. I've finally had the pleasure of reading the book it comes from. I was amazed that Systemantics was written in 1977. It's far more relevant today than it was then, because more people write more software today.

That means theories like
Systems in general work poorly or not at all.

Some might question whether this is really true for computer systems built with modern technology. After all, for a computer to function, millions of microscopic parts must act in perfect synchronicity at superhuman speed.

But in reality, computers fail much more frequently than we notice. A large chunk of their innards are dedicated to failing gracefully. There's ecc in just about every piece of hardware. Without it, computer hardware would fail too often to be usable. Software is no different--it can fail sooner or later, gracefully or catastrophically, but it's going to fail. Overall, computers work poorly, but they work.

Complex systems usually operate in failure mode.

In other words, something's always broken at any point in time. The measure of a complex system's quality is how drastically a particular failure impacts the rest of the system.

Loose systems last longer and work better.

Most Slashdot readers probably read the above and think either "Hallelujah!" or "Duh." But it's a small example of something I liked a lot about Systemantics. Buried under several layers of satire and pessimism is a genuine desire to help the reader avoid the mistakes of past systems designers and managers. There's more to this book than just pessimism.

What's Bad: Systemantics suffers a little from being a quarter-century old. Several references to Watergate and a few other cultural nods may be a bit lost on anyone under 40.

But the book's only real flaw is the author's occasional condescending tone. Every dozen pages or so, Gall takes the opportunity to criticize a real-world example. Some of these anecdotes serve as supporting evidence for an argument. Others are genuinely entertaining (the section on Job Goals and and Objectives is outstanding). But the author sometimes tries too hard to be satirical, and comes across as flat or patronizing, or departs on tangents unrelated to the book's central ideas.

Summary: Despite small imperfections, there's a wealth of real knowledge in this small volume. The author helpfully outlines the main points at the book's end (some of which I've bulleted above). The book's overall message couldn't be more clear if it summarized itself. Which it nicely does:
It is hardly necessary to state that the very first principle of Systems design is a negative one: Do it without a system if you can.
Systems are seductive. They promise to do a hard job faster, better, and more easily than you could do it by yourself. But if you set up a system, you are likely to find your time and effort now being consumed in the care and feeding of the system itself.
  • New problems are created by its very presence.
  • Once set up, it won't go away, it grows and encroaches.
  • It begins to do strange and wonderful things.
  • It breaks down in ways you never thought possible.
  • It kicks back, gets in the way, and opposes its own proper function.
  • Your own perspective becomes distorted by being in the system.
  • You become anxious and push on it to make it work.
Eventually you come to believe that the misbegotten product it so grudgingly delivers is what you really wanted all the time. You are now a Systems-person.

You can find used copies of Systemantics from bn.com and other online sources, though good-condition copies fetch high prices. Slashdot welcomes readers' book reviews -- to submit a review for consideration, read the book review guidelines, then visit the submission page.

9 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. VALinux and Slashdot support offshoring of jobs by 110010001000 · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    This story was rejected by Slashdot editors, but I think as a service to the community you all should know about this treachery:

    VaLinux is doing its best to keep offshoring viable. Check out their recent press releases:

    http://www.nasdaq.com/asp/quotes_news.asp?select ed =LNUX&symbol=LNUX%60&textpath=20031208%5CACQBIZ200 312080845BIZWIRE%5FUSPR%5F%5F%5F%5F%5FBW5258%2Ehtm &cdtime=12%2F08%2F2003+8%3A45AM

    and

    http://www.nasdaq.com/asp/quotes_news.asp?select ed =LNUX&symbol=LNUX%60&textpath=20031208%5CACQBIZ200 312080845BIZWIRE%5FUSPR%5F%5F%5F%5F%5FBW5323%2Ehtm &cdtime=12%2F08%2F2003+8%3A45AM

    VALinux (LNUX) is the parent company of slashdot.

    1. Re:VALinux and Slashdot support offshoring of jobs by 110010001000 · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      Um, how is this possibly OFFTOPIC??? Where else could I post this so people can know about this? This is an important issue and should be discussed by the community! VaLinux is doing its best to keep offshoring viable. Check out their recent press releases: http://www.nasdaq.com/asp/quotes_news.asp?selected =LNUX&symbol=LNUX%60&textpath=20031208%5CACQBIZ200 312080845BIZWIRE%5FUSPR%5F%5F%5F%5F%5FBW5258%2Ehtm &cdtime=12%2F08%2F2003+8%3A45AM and http://www.nasdaq.com/asp/quotes_news.asp?selected =LNUX&symbol=LNUX%60&textpath=20031208%5CACQBIZ200 312080845BIZWIRE%5FUSPR%5F%5F%5F%5F%5FBW5323%2Ehtm &cdtime=12%2F08%2F2003+8%3A45AM VALinux (LNUX) is the parent company of slashdot.

  2. Hot Babe System needed! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    How can people say BSD is dying when it has a mascot like this?! Linux needs to get its act together if it's going to compete with the kind of hot chicks and gorgeous babes that BSD has to offer!

    You just can't take Linux seriously when its fronted by losers like these. Would you buy software from them? I don't think so! You Linux groupies need to find some sexy girls like her! I mean just look at this girl! Doesn't she excite you? I know this little hottie puts me in need of a cold shower! This guy looks like he is about to cream his pants standing next to such a fox. As you can see, no man can resist this sexy little minx. I mean are you telling me you wouldn't like to get your hands on this ass?!

    With sexy chicks like the lovely Ceren you could have people queuing up to buy open source products. Could you really refuse to buy a copy of BSD if she told you to? Come on, you must admit she is better than an overweight penguin or a gay looking goat! Don't you wish you could get one of these? Personally I know I would give my right arm to get this close to such a divine beauty!

    Join the campaign for more cute open source babes today!

  3. Re:Quick review. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    parent .sig is something malicious, don't click.
    why doesn't CmdrTaco implement some what of detecting redirects in posted URLs, and add it to the [url here] thing? it won't be that hard at all.
    something should be done to trolls with goatse-links-like .sigs.

  4. Who is John Gall? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Important Stuff:
    Please try to keep posts on topic.
    Try to reply to other people's comments instead of starting new threads.
    Read other people's messages before posting your own to avoid simply duplicating what has already been said.
    Use a clear subject that describes what your message is about.
    Offtopic, Inflammatory, Inappropriate, Illegal, or Offensive comments might be moderated. (You can read everything, even moderated posts, by adjusting your threshold on the User Preferences Page)

  5. Re:Americans! Be proud! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic
    From this I can only conclude that you would like to have Saddam still in power.

    You are nothing but a supporter of a bloody tyrant.

  6. MOD PARENT DOWN GOATSE LINK by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    That link is a GOATSE redirect, do not click it.

  7. MOD DOWN LISTLLE IS A TROLLWHORE. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    HE SHOUTS GOATSE AT EVERY LINK

    hoping for parent to get troll moderation.

    please mod down

  8. She's not that fresh... by mekkab · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Maybe you need to get out more. Just because she dresses in read pleather and shows some cleavage doesn't make her a true babe.

    Shes actually quite average.

    Sorry to burst your fantasy bubble.

    --
    In the future, I would want to not be isolated from my friends in the Space Station.