Gall's Law
Complex working systems always evolve from simple working systems.
Gall's Law is a rule of thumb in systems theory, formulated by John Gall. It states that a complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked. A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work. To create a successful complex system, you must start with a working simple system and iteratively build upon it over time.
In software development, building a minimum viable product (MVP) first and expanding it works far better than designing a massive, complex software system from scratch, which almost always fails.
It explains why grand top-down reforms, massive IT overhauls, and over-engineered projects so frequently collapse under their own weight.
Believing that complex systems fail due to poor planning, and that adding more upfront specifications will guarantee success.
Identify a complex goal you have and scale it down to the simplest possible working version you can test today.
A working complex system can only be achieved by building upon a working simple system.
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