KISS principle

The KISS principle states that the simplest possible solution of a problem should be chosen. This KISS is a Apronym that can have either one of the below listed meanings. In its basic message, it is very similar to Occam's Razor, which states that in science, the theory is to be preferred, which must make fewer assumptions to explain observations made. Comparable is also the principle of simplicity.

The acronym was allegedly coined by Clarence "Kelly" Johnson, conducting engineer at Lockheed Skunk Works (among producers of the Lockheed U -2 and SR -71 Blackbird spy planes ). While the acronym for decades by the general public " Keep it simple, stupid " when it was translated, it translated Johnson himself as ' Keep it simple [ &] stupid ', and in this variant, it is used by many authors. There is no implied meaning that the engineer "stupid" is, but the opposite was the case. The principle is illustrated by an exemplary history Johnsons. He was allegedly a group of design engineers a few tools and set them the task that the jet engine to be designed by an average engineer in the field had to be repaired under combat conditions with only these tools. Therefore, the "stupid " concept focuses on the relationship between the way how things are going to break, and state of preparation for repair. It should be a simple as possible and " limited " approach.

Widespread is the KISS principle, especially in the United States Air Force and the field of software development. As a design principle describes it as opposed to a solution in the form of a workaround ( " workaround " ), the most simple, minimalist and easy to understand solution to a problem.

Another good example is the Internet, which is based on the TCP / IP protocol family. The simple structure of these protocols has ensured that this network has the very fast growth survived since the advent of the World Wide Web without any major problems, although the TCP / IP protocols developed originally for a much smaller network system ( for the research groups of DARPA ) were.

In addition, the KISS principle is increasingly used in the general context of complex planning tasks in marketing and advertising, where it is next to the AIDA model (Attention Interest Desire Action, Attention, Interest, Desire, Action ) and the MAYA - principle (Most Advanced yet acceptable, as complex as just about acceptable ) has now firmly established.

Furthermore, the " Keep It Short and Simple " version is taught jointly with PEE (Point, Evidence, Explain, Claiming, receipts, Explain ) to English schools and universities in connection with writing essays, summaries and interpretations.