The Art of Not Overthinking: Occam's Razor for Developers

Occam’s Razor and the Art of Software Design

Published on: July 03, 2022
Last updated: December 20, 2025 Read in fullscreen view

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Occam's Razor, a 14th-century philosophy, emphasizes simplicity over complexity. It suggests that the simplest solution is often the best, but this is often interpreted as the "fewest assumptions" or Principle of Parsimony. The principle is based on the idea that entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity. This principle is often used in software design, where the simplest solution is often the best.

The premise of Occam’s razor is that “entities should not be multiplied without necessity”. It emphasizes choosing the solution with the fewest assumptions when faced with competing hypotheses concerning the same prediction; nevertheless, it should be noted that this is not a method of selecting amongst hypotheses that make different predictions.

It is often mistaken to advocate simplicity, but has a more nuanced recommendation, which is described by the quote “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.”. This idea, which goes, "It is vain to do with more what can be done with fewer".

In software design, it is crucial to question the validity of assumptions and ensure that everything is done in support of project objectives. By embodying Occam's Razor and doing less, developers can improve their productivity and overall productivity.

80% of the functionality built into software application is either never, or rarely used.

Scrum and Agile methods in software development focus on delivering value to end users. This approach ensures constant assessment and re-prioritization of features and functionality, leading to stakeholder satisfaction earlier in the development process. However, this approach is not enough.

In the world of predictive models, one needs to maintain a balance between model complexity and error, that would be a sweet spot between over-generalization and over-specialization.

Reduce Complexity in Software Development

Software solutions are increasingly complex due to the increasing requirements of application solutions. Complexity introduces uncertainty and risk, increasing the probability of failure. Plurality, which adds entities to support conclusions, multiplies the complexity of the system. The number of entities in a software system increases as the number of entities increases, but it is crucial to ensure that changes in any one entity will not impact any other. Additionally, the system's complexity increases with the number of assumptions, which represent assumptions in Occam's view. The more assumptions a system has, the more complex it becomes, and thus the higher the probability of failure.

Key Points

Software Development and Occam's Principles

The principles espoused by Occam are not enough to address the increasing complexity of software solutions.
Complexity introduces uncertainty and risk, increasing the probability of failure.
Plurality in software adds complexity, not just adding entities.
The complexity of the system increases as the number of entities increases.
The complexity of the system is not in the dots, but the number of lines connecting them.
The complexity of the system increases with the number of entities added.
The "what if's" represent assumptions in Occam's view, which increase with the number of entities added.
Scrum and Agile Methods in software development focus on delivering value to end users, reducing the need for technology.
80% of the functionality in software applications is either never used or rarely used.
Continuous assessment and re-prioritization of features and functionality ensures stakeholder satisfaction.

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About the Author

Michael Lant

IT Consultant

MICHAEL LANT: Software Archictecture, Development, Agile Methods and the Intersection of People Process and Technology. I am an independent consultant who has been leading software teams, designing, building and delivering software for nearly three decades. It’s still as exciting and enjoyable for me today as at was when I wrote my very first Hello World program and saw it spring to life in front of me.

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