Simon Bell, senior lecturer at the Open University, looks at why this multi-national design and construction project is a textbook case in Systems Thinking and the study of Complexity.

The Eurofighter story provides those of you interested in systemic and holistic analysis and learning with an intriguing and beguiling case study in perceived complexity across a twenty year period.

The case provides copious evidence of complexity, bearing in mind, of course, that perceived complexity is always in the eye of the beholder. It is central to the understanding of complex systems that one attempts to understand the range of differing viewpoints held by each individual involved.

The Eurofighter project shows evidence of poor decision-making, and there is contestable (but provocative) testimony of recurrent failure throughout the project’s life-span. In the programme, we see examples relating to the selection and use or misuse of design and production methods (particularly in terms of project management methodology). There are formal aspects which tell a formal story, similarly there are soft and informal aspects which invite a different interpretation.

The case as a whole involves international issues, global paranoias, national self-interest and burgeoning issues of national collaboration. The core transformation sought by the project changes with time and the main actors fight valiantly to keep on top of the brief. From whichever angle you approach the context it offers a rich mixture of technical, social, economic, personal and cultural entanglements - a whole range of multiple perspectives.

To look at the Eurofighter project and take any single individual perspective would be futile. To simplify the case formally to a failure or success would be simplistic and insulting to the project and the key players involved. In this programme you will hear the story from numerous story-teller's perspectives, offering you the opportunity to take a holistic view.

Perhaps more than any other recent large scale capital project Eurofighter provides us with visions of competency and fallibility rolled up together.

This is essentially a human story and one with a common message. In its scale and content it is unique, but demonstrated in it are the major systemic issues which bedevil many human enterprises. The story will engage many who would not be interested in defence issues per se - but it should provoke those with a questioning mentality. Possibly, most tellingly, Eurofighter is understood in terms of how you (the viewer) weigh the evidence. A systemic approach is key to making any meaningful sense of it.

If you are interested in learning more about systems approaches and understanding complexity then you might want to visit the following Open University course web sites:

Systemic thinking, multiple perspectives - T205
Complexity, Escalation theory - T306

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