Using self-organized living structures principles in the design of complex adaptive systems

We present a review of complex systems research which focuses on their similarities with self-organizing living systems. We classify the types of complex systems that relate to self-organisation and we discuss the overall requirements for self-organising modeling. As a novelty, the paper proposes a methodology to aid engineers in the design and control of adaptive complex systems. The methodology offers a conceptual framework and a series of steps to follow to find proper mechanisms that will promote elements which by actively interacting among themselves lead to better performance.