The Field Guide to Understanding Human Error

by Sidney Dekker

Cover for The Field Guide to Understanding Human Error

Book Summary

Understanding human error is a crucial aspect of improving safety and performance in complex systems. Sidney Dekker's work delves deeply into the nature of mistakes, moving beyond blaming individuals to exploring the systemic and contextual factors that contribute to errors. This approach transforms how organizations perceive and manage human error, emphasizing learning and resilience over punishment.

  • Human error is not a cause but a symptom: Errors reflect deeper systemic issues rather than simply individual failings.
  • Context shapes human behavior: People’s actions are influenced by the environment, organizational culture, and system design.
  • Errors...

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