Feedback Delays and Control in Complex Dynamic Systems

Modern technology makes great demands upon people’s ability to understand and control complex dynamic systems, such- as process plants. In such systems, feedback delays are inevitable; everything takes time, and there is little hope that a person will be able to observe all, or even the most important, consequences of his actions immediately. For example, in some industrial processes, the effects of certain control actions may not be apparent until hours later. Whether or not a person is able to develop adequate strategies to cope with such delays will determine the extent to which he/she will be able to control a complex dynamic system. Thus, this is a question of considerable practical importance, as well as a question of theoretical interest.