Complex problems: What makes them complex and difficult to solve?

Abstract

This paper discusses the topics of complex systems, complex adaptive systems, and complex problems. For network-centric warfare (NCW) using complex systems, it is necessary to develop collaborative technological systems that function within a cybernetic organismic network (CON) according to holistic systems engineering and nonlinear stochastic processes. Consequently, there are differences between how issues and problems are processed. Issues are people-oriented problems that interfere with technology development. Problems are related to technology itself and can be more easily resolved. To develop collaborative technology systems that function within a CON and perform NCW requires holistic systems engineering and nonlinear reasoning about agents thinking, learning, and adapting accordingly.