Book a Meeting
SIMPLEXITY: WHAT? WHY? HOW?
"Complexity is inevitable; chaos is optional"
We began exploring and practicing SIMPLEXITY in 2015, inspired by how biologists have long recognized Mother Nature's remarkable ability to balance complexity and simplicity in living systems​.
Amazon's adoption of SIMPLEXITY, announced by CTO Werner Vogels (Dec. 2024), illustrates how leading organizations can harness SIMPLEXITY to create systems that are both robust and elegantly manageable.
What is Simplexity?
Definition
  • SIMPLEXITY is a tool that simplifies the complex without losing its essence.
  • It does not eliminate complexity, but makes it manageable.
Why does it matter?
  • 77% of CEOs see complexity as their main priority in their daily business (according to PwC in 2005!) What about nowadays?
What is it used for?
SIMPLEXITY transforms challenging situations into strategic opportunities, providing support through:
  • Strategic decision making under pressure
  • Developing a clear and actionable vision
  • Rapid identification of high-impact solutions
  • Precise design and execution of recovery plans
Example: Amazon DSQL automates complex database configurations. Users operate with simplicity while the system manages the technical complexity.
Key Benefits of the SIMPLEXITY Mindset
Reduces Resistance
Breaks down change into manageable stages. Actively involves employees in the transformation process.
Minimizes Risk
Validates solutions before full implementation. Allows for early adjustments that avoid costly failures.
Maintains Focus
Continuously connects initiatives to strategic objectives. Avoids distractions that consume resources without generating value.
Balances Speed and Quality
Facilitates rapid progress without compromising results. Minimizes unintended consequences during the transformation.
Principles of Simplexity
Focus on the Essentials
Prioritize key elements and eliminate unnecessary processes to generate real value.
Decompose and Rebuild
Break down complex systems into manageable parts to create tailored solutions.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Integrate diverse perspectives to enrich creativity and find innovative solutions.
Clarity of Objectives
Maintain defined and limited goals to achieve greater focus and effectiveness.
Flexibility and Adaptation
Adjust solutions as the challenges of the environment evolve.
Culture of Experimentation
Promote continuous testing to learn from mistakes and constantly improve.
Simplexity Methodology: The S.I.M.P.L.E. Cycle
Simplexity in action is like high-performance team collaboration, with specific stages and its own energy.
Scan
Scan the context, eliminating noise. Use visual maps and quick discussions to identify what's important.
Idea
Generate fresh ideas without filters. Break the routine with brainstorming and cross-pollination.
Mini-Test
Test quickly and fearlessly. Create quick prototypes and receive lightning-fast feedback.
Pulse
Adjust the pace by evaluating results. Implement agile retrospectives and "pit stops" with visual boards.
Launch
Scale the solution with real demonstrations. Celebrate the achievements reached at each stage.
Evolve
Learn and restart the cycle. Share learnings and constantly update your "playbook".
Common Errors to Avoid
Oversimplifying
Ignoring critical variables can compromise quality and generate new problems.
Not Involving Teams
Simplexity requires collaboration. Without participation, resistance to change increases.
Forgetting Culture
Without an agile mindset and openness to change, even the best tool fails.
"Simplicity is not a shortcut; it is intelligent design" — Werner Vogels
Case Study: Amazon Web Services
Key ideas from Werner Vogels (CTO) on Simplexity 📺
Complexity is inevitable, but manageable
Vogels emphasized that technology and system architectures are constantly evolving
Not all complexity is equal
Distinguishes between intentional and unintentional complexity
Simplicity as a guiding principle
AWS was born with "simple" services (S3, SQS, SES), but the underlying technology is highly complex.
Evolution and adaptability
One of his key recommendations was to "make evolution a requirement"
Divide complexity
Proposes to fragment systems into independent components or "cells"
Intelligent automation
Everything that does not require human judgment should be automated
Organization aligned with architecture
Small, focused teams aligned with the components of the system
Predictable systems
Design processes and patterns that reduce operational uncertainty

01:50:14

YouTube

​​Amazon Web Services CTO - Dr. Werner Vogels Keynote - Simplexity

Watch Dr. Werner Vogels, VP and CTO at Amazon.com, as he shares the critical lessons and strategies he has learned for managing increasingly complex systems. The keynote explores the core principles for embracing complexity, drawing on Amazon’s experiences building distributed systems at massive scale. Learn more about AWS events: https://go.aws/events Subscribe: More AWS videos: http://bit.ly/2O3zS75 More AWS events videos: http://bit.ly/316g9t4 ABOUT AWS Amazon Web Services (AWS) hosts e

Your SIMPLEXITY Consultant-Coach
Geoffroy VILBERT
Strategic Project Director
Energized by Complexity & Emergency Specialist
Leading by Meaning, Empathy, and Positivity
  • International executive with 25+ years of experience spanning Europe, USA, and Latin America (10+ years)
  • Expert in Strategic Growth, Transformation, Leveraging M&A with proven project management expertise,
  • Holistic approach integrating Strategy, Finance, Sales, HR, SCM, and IT+AI to drive sustainable business performance,
  • Industry expertise: automotive manufacturing, security, renewable energy, food industry, and construction