Discussion Paper: "Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! A Complexity Science View of the Unexpected"

Introduction Traditionally it has been thought that "surprises can and should be avoided with more knowledge, better planning, and / or better systems design". While some surprises can be avoided as a result of the above mentioned measures, the authors argue that surprise is inherent in complex systems and thus cannot be avoided entirely. Furthermore, since surprises are a natural part of complex adaptive systems, they should be embraced as possible avenues of opportunity for creativity, …

…was not perfect, we were able to remain flexible and calm under pressure due to the interactive, open forum to which we were accustomed. We were able to adapt to our changing environment and learn from our experiences. Conclusion Complexity science shows us that surprises are a natural part of complex adaptive systems, and cannot be avoided. As a result, they should not be treated as threats, but as opportunities on which we should act.