Is complexity justification for itself?

Have you ever had this conversation?

"Why is this so hard?"

"Because our environment is so complex."

"Well, why don't we just use [INDUSTRY STANDARD XYZ]?"

"Because our environment is so complex; in order to support the pieces we have already we need to take [COMPLEX SOLUTION ABC]. The simple approach simply would not work."

"Wouldn't it be better to take the simpler approach and adjust the current complex components?"

"We can't, we have always done it this way."

Etc. Etc. Etc.

I hate that conversation. It get's very old.

Complexity does not justify further complexity. It may be hard... it will be hard to get out of that mode of thinking but it is necessary. While a complex environment may exit it doesn't mean that industry standard approaches won't work. It is my conjecture that complexity has become cultural.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. - Leonardo daVinci

Simplicity is hard. This can be seen if you look at code from an experienced developer versus a new developer. Generally speaking the code will be more readable, more understandable and simpler. (Even though the algorithm may be more complex the elegance of the implementation makes it easier to understand.)

I will end with this quick request. If you hear someone using complexity as justification for further complexity call them on it. Press to see if a simpler approach is possible. It may be a little harder in the short term but in the long term it will pay off greatly.