Unexpected Consequences
Why the Things We Trust Fail
1st Edition
Published on 12. September 2011
312 pages
978-0-313-39312-9 (ISBN)
Description
In this book, interrelationships between more than 40 recent catastrophic events are explored, discussing failures of structures and machines, information technology, regulatory agencies, security designs, and more.
The world is full of wonderful products and services that occasionally disappoint and even harm us. Unexpected Consequences: Why The Things We Trust Fail explores the reasons these failures occur, examining them from technological, human, and organizational perspectives. Using more than 40 recent catastrophic events to illustrate its points, the book discusses structural and machine failure, but also the often-overlooked failure of people and of systems related to such things as information technology, healthcare, and security.
As the book demonstrates, faulty technology played a surprisingly small part in many of the scrutinized disasters. Author James William Martin finds cognitive factors and organizational dynamics, including ethics, are major contributors to most unexpected and catastrophic failures causing loss of life and extensive property damage. With that fresh perspective in mind, Martin is able to suggest remedies that address service failure and just may help prevent future disasters from taking place.
The world is full of wonderful products and services that occasionally disappoint and even harm us. Unexpected Consequences: Why The Things We Trust Fail explores the reasons these failures occur, examining them from technological, human, and organizational perspectives. Using more than 40 recent catastrophic events to illustrate its points, the book discusses structural and machine failure, but also the often-overlooked failure of people and of systems related to such things as information technology, healthcare, and security.
As the book demonstrates, faulty technology played a surprisingly small part in many of the scrutinized disasters. Author James William Martin finds cognitive factors and organizational dynamics, including ethics, are major contributors to most unexpected and catastrophic failures causing loss of life and extensive property damage. With that fresh perspective in mind, Martin is able to suggest remedies that address service failure and just may help prevent future disasters from taking place.
More details
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Interest Age: From 7 to 17 years
ISBN-13
978-0-313-39312-9 (9780313393129)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
09/2011
Praeger Publishers Inc
€69.00
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
James William Martin is the author of several books focused on change management, teamwork, and process improvement.
Content
Preface
Introduction
1. Designing Products and Services Is a Process
2. Behavior Influences the Design Process
3. Universal Principles for Good Design
4. Successful Designs Depend on Organizational Culture
5. The Reasons Why the Things We Trust Fail
6. Catastrophic Failures Have Common Causes
7. Rethinking Unexpected Consequences
Conclusion
Glossary
Index
About the Author
Introduction
1. Designing Products and Services Is a Process
2. Behavior Influences the Design Process
3. Universal Principles for Good Design
4. Successful Designs Depend on Organizational Culture
5. The Reasons Why the Things We Trust Fail
6. Catastrophic Failures Have Common Causes
7. Rethinking Unexpected Consequences
Conclusion
Glossary
Index
About the Author
