Comments on: mistakes, measurements http://malvasiabianca.org/archives/2007/11/mistakes-measurements/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:28:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Mark Graban http://malvasiabianca.org/archives/2007/11/mistakes-measurements/#comment-72242 Mark Graban Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:04:31 +0000 http://malvasiabianca.org/archives/2007/11/mistakes-measurements/#comment-72242 Unfortunately, most investigations, be it plane crashes, medical mistakes, or this tanker spill do focus on "who" is responsible. The media is as guilty of this, but I think they play into people's desires for neat, tidy answers. Saying "that guy messed up, so we fired him" seems like resolution, while saying "we blame the system, so we are implementing preventative measures for the future" somehow seems ineffective, ironically. Thanks for the link! Unfortunately, most investigations, be it plane crashes, medical mistakes, or this tanker spill do focus on “who” is responsible. The media is as guilty of this, but I think they play into people’s desires for neat, tidy answers. Saying “that guy messed up, so we fired him” seems like resolution, while saying “we blame the system, so we are implementing preventative measures for the future” somehow seems ineffective, ironically.

Thanks for the link!

]]> By: Gerald Weinberg http://malvasiabianca.org/archives/2007/11/mistakes-measurements/#comment-72194 Gerald Weinberg Wed, 21 Nov 2007 06:03:18 +0000 http://malvasiabianca.org/archives/2007/11/mistakes-measurements/#comment-72194 Yes, I did write that, somewhere in one of my books. Probably one of the Quality Software Management volumes. (Too many books to remember where everything is, but it's a standard heuristic of my consulting.) As you correctly say, it's not to excuse defects, but to identify the level at which preventive action should start. Theoretically, that's why managers get paid more--because they must take responsibility for more. Doesn't always work that way in practice, but it should. Yes, I did write that, somewhere in one of my books. Probably one of the Quality Software Management volumes. (Too many books to remember where everything is, but it’s a standard heuristic of my consulting.)

As you correctly say, it’s not to excuse defects, but to identify the level at which preventive action should start. Theoretically, that’s why managers get paid more–because they must take responsibility for more. Doesn’t always work that way in practice, but it should.

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