Law

Orgel’s Rule shows that a system running trial and error for years has usually already solved problems no designer thought to ask about.

The Allen Curve shows that distance doesn’t have to be large to quietly end a working relationship.

Goodhart’s Law shows that a measure and a target are not the same thing, and treating them as the same thing is what breaks the measure.

Gall’s Law shows that a working complex system is something you grow, not something you draft.

Conway’s Law shows that your product’s seams are usually a map of your org chart’s seams.

Ashby’s Law shows that you cannot simplify your way into control over something more variable than you are.

Dunbar’s number shows that trust-based coordination has a ceiling, even if the exact number is contested.