Scaffolding is a temporary frame or framing element used for support in the creation, repair or recreation of complex processes, structures and systems. Our use draws on the usages found in construction, chemistry, engineering, design and ecology. Scaffolding helps align things that happen fast with those that are slow so that everything could come up together, in the right sequence at the right time.

See Chapter 4: Assembling Complexity of Out of Control, by Kevin Kelly for more on the role of scaffolding in emergent systems.