Rétegektl

Rétegektl is a theoretical framework used to analyze and design systems that are organized into discrete layers with interacting boundaries. The name derives from the Hungarian råteg meaning layer, and a suffix that signals a systematic, methodological approach to multilayer structure.

At its core, rétegektl treats a complex system as a stack of layers—such as physical substrate, informational or data layer, organizational or governance layer, and cultural or normative layer—whose states influence one another through defined interfaces. The framework emphasizes modularity, explicit interface contracts, and the propagation of effects across layers, including feedback loops and emergence that cannot be understood by examining a single layer in isolation.

Rétegektl has been applied across disciplines that manage complexity, including systems engineering, urban planning, software architecture, and data governance. Practitioners use layered maps or diagrams to depict layer boundaries, dependency graphs to model inter-layer relationships, and scenario analysis to study how changes in one layer ripple through the stack. It supports design principles such as separation of concerns, resilience through boundary robustness, and governance that coordinates multiple layers without overcentralization.

Critics argue that the framework can become overly abstract or cumbersome if layers are not clearly scoped. Proponents counter that a disciplined layering perspective helps reveal hidden dependencies, reduce coupling, and improve adaptability in complex environments.

See also: layered architecture, multi-layer networks, stratified systems, boundary management, systems thinking.