Gall's Law

John Gall observed that successful complex systems start as successful simple systems. If you attempt to create a complex system from the beginning, it usually doesn’t work because there are too many unknowns you haven’t validated.

Instead, start with a simple architecture and learn from real-world usage. Add features or complexity incrementally, ensuring each change still works. When you start with a small, functional core, you can validate assumptions early. Every new capability added incrementally is tested against reality, forcing the system to adapt.

• Don't build a complex system from scratch. Instead, make a simple version that works, then iterate and add complexity. This approach serves as a launching pad for experimentation and innovation.
• Successful large systems often grow organically. A fully designed-from-scratch complex system usually fails because you can't foresee all interactions.
• This law argues for creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), a simple working core, and then growing it, rather than a big-bang approach.
• Systems that grow tend to adapt and handle complexity better because they've been tested and refined at each stage. An overly complex initial design can break when something unexpected happens.