Tesler’s Law, also known as the Law of Conservation of Complexity, states that for any system, there is a certain amount of complexity that cannot be reduced. Named after Larry Tesler, a computer scientist who worked at Xerox PARC, Apple, Amazon, and Yahoo, this principle suggests that every application has an inherent amount of complexity that must be dealt with in one way or another.
Tesler’s Law can be understood in two key ways:
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Inherent Complexity: Some level of complexity is inherent in every system or task, and while it can be shifted around, it cannot be eliminated entirely. For instance, the complexity of a task can either be handled by the system (making it more complex for the designer to build) or by the user (requiring more effort or skill from the user to operate).
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User Interface Design: In the context of user interface and user experience design, Tesler’s Law often applies to the balance between making a system easy to use for beginners, while still powerful and flexible enough for advanced users. Simplifying an interface for the new user might shift more complexity to the experienced user, and vice versa.
Understanding Tesler’s Law is important in the design and development of technology products, as it helps in making informed decisions about how and where to manage complexity in a way that best serves the intended users. It underscores the importance of thoughtful design in achieving a balance between usability and functionality.