https://www.nngroup.com/articles/complex-application-design-framework/

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

When designing for a complex application, designers should consider 5 layers of complexity based on context for the application's use.

- Integration
- Information
- Intention
- Environment
- Institution

Complex Application Design: A 5-Layer Framework

NN Group defines a complex application as 

"any application supporting broad, unstructured goals or nonlinear workflows.

In addition, complex apps frequently:

- Support highly trained users with specialized knowledge
- Help users navigate and manage large underlying data sets and enable advanced 
 sensemaking or data analysis
- Support problem solving or end goals with unknown or variable underlying tasks
- Require handoff or collaboration among multiple roles, tools, or platforms
- Mitigate the risks of executing high-impact (or high-value) tasks, where high loss (e.g., revenue or even lives) is at stake"

Many complex applications are focused on supporting specialized domains, where the work requires specialized background and training. 

Contrast this against generalized applications, where NN Group defines them as having the ability to "enable nonspecialized users to complete largely discrete, linear tasks organized around well-structured goals."



What is a Complex Application? 

This complexity refers to "the complexity of underlying technology, such as the interconnection of multiple and variable (often legacy) back-end systems or databases that support an application."

Having high integrative complexity can result in a bad user experience. If users have to continually perform boring and repetitive to obtain data, this is high integrative complexity. 

Integrative Complexity

"Intention complexity refers to the complexity associated with supporting the unstructured goals and broad tasks that characterize the usage of complex apps"

There is not always a knownw best path to complete a task. Also designers want to encourage an open-form style of interaction. It is difficult then to know the scope.

"This ambiguity and variance make it difficult to understand and design for realistic usage."

Intention Complexity

Information complexity in application design refers to the large data volume inherent in many complex applications and the interaction behaviors, such as exploring, filtering, zooming, and modeling, required to navigate and analyze these datasets. Designers must carefully manage the amount of information on screen to ensure it is relevant but not overwhelming, as excessive information complexity can be time-consuming and confusing for end users.

Information Complexity in Application Design

"Environmental complexity refers to the physical surroundings of complex-app users. These surroundings are often difficult to understand and design for without first hand, real-time field work." Interruptions in field work might be frequent, so it's important to start in-person testing and research early on.

Environmental Complexity in Application Design

"Institutional complexity refers to the cultural or microsocietal structures that exist within an organization, including norms, attitudes, roles, political tensions, sources of power, and institutionalized ways of doing things." Long-time users and domain experts often prefer legacy systems and established workflows over proposed changes. Because new designers typically lack the tenure and domain credibility of established staff, their input is frequently discounted or resisted by the organization, regardless of its merit.

Institutional Complexity

Apply the 5-layer complexity framework—Integration, Information, Intention, Environment, and Institution—to break down the sources of complexity that are most present in the system you are designing. Analyzing each layer separately helps UX designers and researchers avoid feeling overwhelmed and keeps the overall design goals in view.

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