Systemantics

John Gall argues that large, complex systems are extremely hard to design correctly however good the intentions, so builders should make smaller, simpler systems whose functions grow step by step in close touch with what users need. His premise, that systems mostly work badly or not at all, draws on Murphy's Law, the Peter Principle, Parkinson's Law, Stephen Potter's One-upmanship and Alfred Korzybski's general semantics. Partly tongue in cheek, he states laws such as new systems mean new problems, and cites the Aswan Dam and a Kennedy Space Center building so large it makes its own weather. Gall self-published the work after 30 publishers rejected it; the New York Times Book Company issued it in 1977.

Jordan B. Peterson included it among the recommended books on his website.