id: 1161,4C
title: Hierarchy is an arrangement of stable subsystems.
date: 2022-03-01

Hierarchy is an arrangement of stable subsystems.

This emanates from self-organization activities. Hierarchy becomes possible when subsystems stabilize into units with clear knowledge boundaries. Thus, hierarchies evolve abstractions and become partially decomposable. A hierarchy needs to balance the control it must apply to facilitate coordination while allowing enough autonomy for a subsystem to achieve its responsibilities and pursue its opportunities. With the wrong balance, a few types of dysfunctions are possible.rM3

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    Donella H. Meadows and Diana Wright, Thinking in Systems: A Primer (White River Junction, Vt: Chelsea Green Pub, 2008). (See notes.)