the cost of complexity

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Complexity in software systems grows quietly and can slow progress, raise costs, and frustrate teams.
• Proactively managing complexity prevents redundant code, hidden coupling, and unnecessary dependencies.
• Simpler systems reduce maintenance costs, speed up development, and improve team morale.
• Regular audits, incremental refactoring, and modular design help keep complexity in check.
• Leaders play a key role in promoting a culture where simplification is valued and recognized.

Complexity is a silent killer in software. It starts small, an extra dependency here, a workaround there, but over time, it snowballs. What once felt like a quick solution becomes a tangled web that slows development, increases costs, and frustrates teams.

Simplifying systems isn’t just about stripping away functionality or dumbing things down. You can create clarity, reduce friction, and ensure your software remains sustainable as it scales.

Simplification isn’t just a technical challenge… it’s a mindset.

Why Complexity Grows

Complexity often grows for logical reasons. Teams add features to meet user demands, integrate new tools to keep up with technology trends, or introduce workarounds to hit tight deadlines. But without deliberate oversight, these decisions accumulate into a sprawling system that’s difficult to understand, maintain, or evolve.

Common signs of creeping complexity include:

• Redundant Code: Multiple teams solving the same problem in slightly different ways.
• Unnecessary Dependencies: Overreliance on third-party tools or frameworks.
• Hidden Coupling: Components that are unintentionally dependent on each other.

While complexity can’t be eliminated entirely, managing it proactively ensures it doesn’t undermine the system’s value.

The Hidden Costs of Complexity

The hidden costs of complexity become apparent over time. They manifest as:

• Slower Development: Engineers spend more time navigating the system than delivering value.
• Higher Maintenance Costs: Fixing bugs and addressing technical debt becomes more expensive.
• Increased Risk: Complex systems are harder to test, making them prone to regressions during changes.

Beyond the technical, complexity also impacts teams. It leads to frustration, burnout, and slower onboarding for new engineers. When simplicity is prioritized, teams can move faster and focus on solving meaningful problems.

Strategies for Simplification

Simplifying a complex system takes effort, but the long-term benefits are worth it.

Here are some practical strategies:

• Decouple Components: Break down tightly coupled systems into smaller, modular pieces that can evolve independently.
• Audit Dependencies: Regularly review third-party tools and frameworks to ensure they still provide value. Remove those that don’t.
• Refactor Incrementally: Instead of waiting for a major rewrite, make small, continuous improvements to simplify code and design.

One approach I’ve seen work well is adopting a “less is more” mindset. For example, when designing APIs, focus on what’s essential rather than adding every possible feature. Clear, focused interfaces are easier to maintain and use.

Driving Simplicity

Simplification is as much a leadership challenge as it is a technical one.

Architects and engineering leaders can set the tone by championing simplicity and encouraging teams to think critically about the complexity they introduce.

Creating a culture that values simplification involves:

• Setting Standards: Establish architectural principles that prioritize clarity and maintainability.
• Encouraging Collaboration: Cross-team discussions help identify redundant efforts and streamline shared solutions.
• Celebrating Improvements: Recognize and reward efforts to simplify systems, not just deliver features.

Simplification requires trade-offs, but with strong leadership, teams can make decisions that align with long-term sustainability.

Simplification in Action

Consider a team managing a sprawling legacy application. Adding features has become a slow, frustrating process, and the system’s performance is starting to suffer.

Rather than overhauling the entire system, the team begins with an audit. They identify unused dependencies, consolidate duplicated logic, and introduce modular components for key features. Over several iterations, the system becomes leaner and easier to maintain; without sacrificing functionality.

This approach highlights the power of incremental simplification. Each step delivers tangible benefits while paving the way for future improvements.

Summary

Simplifying isn’t about cutting corners; it’s about investing in a system’s long-term health, ensuring it grows with you, not against you.

Take a closer look at your systems.

Are they as simple as they need to be? Are you spending more time managing complexity than delivering value?