Systems Take On The Attributes of their Designers

This point is a bit Zen, but here goes: Complex systems tend to take on the attributes of the team or organisation that designs them. Perhaps this is true of any creative work. It happens regardless of whether it is acknowledged or not.

For example, a project team with poor communication is likely to produce a system with inefficient data communication flows. It makes sense when you think about it: if little attention was given to good communication within the team, it's unlikely that a lot of effort will have gone into the design of the communication architecture and protocols. Teams that operate inefficiently are unlikely to produce systems that operate efficiently, because efficiency isn't seen as being as important as other goals.

The application of this nugget of insight may be rather esoteric; but it's still worth keeping in mind.

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