Human error Quote by Donald A. Norman
““human error usually is a result of poor design: it should be called system error. Humans err continually; it is an intrinsic part of our nature. System design should take this into account. Pinning the blame on the person may be a comfortable way to proceed, but why was the system ever designed so that a single act by a single person could cause calamity? Worse, blaming the person without fixing the root, underlying cause does not fix the problem: the same error is likely to be repeated by someone else. I””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Design of Everyday Things, 1988
Design flaws cause human mistakes; blaming people ignores systemic issues.
In simple terms: Bad design leads to errors.
Key Takeaway
Design systems to prevent errors.
Themes
human error
system design
responsibility
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- product development
- workplace safety
- policy making
- user interface design
- process improvement
Key Concepts
human factors
error prevention
systemic thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How can design anticipate unforeseen human behavior?
- What safeguards can reduce reliance on individual vigilance?
A Different Perspective
If design is fixed, people still make errors due to other factors.
![“Hypertext makes a virtue out of lack of organization, allowing ideas and thoughts to be juxtaposed at will. [...] The advent of hypertext is apt to make writing much more difficult, not easier. Good writing, that is.” quote by Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/662/donald-a-norman-6862_advent_hypertext-makes-a-virtue-out-of-lack-of_51804.jpg)
