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RailsConf 2017: Managing Unmanageable Complexity by Patrick Joyce As systems get more complex they inevitably fail. Many of those failures are preventable. We’re not lazy, stupid, or careless. The complexity of our systems simply exceeds our cognitive abilities. Thankfully, we’re not alone. People have successfully managed complex systems long before software came along. In this session, we’ll see how surgeons, pilots, and builders have developed techniques to safely manage increasingly complex systems in life and death situations. We will learn how simple checklists improve communication, reduce preventable errors, and drive faster recovery time.
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In the talk "Managing Unmanageable Complexity" at RailsConf 2017, Patrick Joyce discusses the increasing complexity of systems and how it can lead to failures, emphasizing that such failures can often be prevented. He argues that while developers are not negligent, the cognitive load of complex systems outstrips our capabilities, drawing parallels with other high-stakes fields. Key points include: - **Complexity and Failure**: With the rising sophistication of systems, the likelihood of failure increases, but many failures can be addressed through better management techniques. - **Learning from Other Fields**: Joyce highlights how checklists have revolutionized crucial areas like aviation and surgery, enabling professionals to manage complexity effectively. - **Case Studies**: - **Aviation**: The crash of the Boeing Model 299 due to a simple oversight led to the creation of pilots' checklists, which significantly enhanced safety in aviation. - **Medicine**: Atul Gawande's work in hospitals, introducing checklists for central line insertions, resulted in a dramatic reduction in infection rates and deaths, showcasing the power of procedural checklists in high-pressure environments. - **Application to Software Development**: Joyce advocates for the introduction of checklists in software development to mitigate risks and improve code quality, suggesting checkpoints before submitting pull requests, during peer reviews, and prior to deployments. - **Actionable Steps**: He encourages developers at any level to start implementing checklist practices without needing formal approval, fostering a culture of thoroughness and accountability. In conclusion, Joyce emphasizes that by adopting simple checklist methodologies, software teams can drastically enhance their performance, ensuring essential tasks are completed and facilitating improved communication among team members.
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