Quantifying Adaptability

–Until adaptability can be calculated and measured, it is difficult to understand or promote. This paper defines adaptability and offers a way to measure it based on communications theory. Adaptability is a complex process which requires a number of supporting processes and definitions. The concept of state-pairs is developed and used to describe communicating entities, interfaces, comparison, measured information, communications, flexibility and, finally, adaptability. Interfaces are delineated by their percent of adaptability; different means are identified to add the benefits of adaptability to existing and future systems. Keywords-adaptability; interface; communications structure; measured information; etiquette