There’s a continuing and expanding discussion around ‘complexity’  both within the sector and in wider society.   

I’m not convinced.  The reality of most people’s situations is actually pretty simple.  If someone doesn’t have enough money to eat, then an organisation providing food is a solution.  If a young person is anxious and not coping then providing them with a mentor or counselling isn’t a complex solution.  I understand that the systems behind those situations are complex – but the person’s experience and what they need isn’t.   

Most of the organisations we work with, deliver on a small, local scale (or with a specific community of interest).  Much of their work is impacted by the systems failing – but the solutions aren’t complex and they frequently ‘just get on with it’ and don’t get involved in the wider systems at play.   

Maybe if the big thinkers who are trying to understand the complex systems took this approach too, they could focus on simplifying things rather than understanding the complexit, then over time the complexity would simply disappear.  It’s not real – it’s a human created web of smoke and mirrors. 

Instead of trying to understand the complexity, how can we simplify things so that the individuals who need support get it?  Can we by-pass the outdated, complex systems?  I would argue that many small organisations do just that – so what can larger organisations and agencies learn from them?