You can find the full set of Complexity Concept Cards here: https://bit.ly/SiCards

Due to their high level of connectivity, all complex systems have a network architecture to them and it is a defining feature of how they work. Thus network theory is central to understanding complex systems of all kinds, be that the Internet, a transport system, or a social network.

When attempting to understand a network there are a few key considerations. Firstly how connected are the elements in the system? Are there connections between all the parts or are some parts disconnected and separate from others? How dense is this set of connections? What are the patterns of clustering within the system? Is the network more centralized or decentralized? How robust is it to the failure of some nodes or connections? How might something spread across the network? Answering these will help us gain a deeper understanding of the workings of a system.