Complex Adaptive System (CAS) (glossary)

System where the individual elements act independently but jointly behave according to common constraints and goals. In the natural world, a flock of geese is a CAS. Human-intensive systems are also complex adaptive systems since each human in the system is independent. (Weaver 1948, 536; Jackson, Hitchins, and Eisner 2010, 41; Flood and Carson 1993; Lawson 2010)

Sources

Jackson, S., D. Hitchins, and H. Eisner. 2010. What is the systems approach? INCOSE Insight 13 (1) (March 2010): 41.

Flood, R. L., and E. R. Carson. 1993. Dealing with complexity: An introduction to the theory and application of systems science. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Plenum Press.

Lawson, H. W. 2010. A journey through the systems landscape. London, UK: College Publications, Kings College.

Discussion

Discussion as to why this is the "consensus" definition for the SEBoK.