Development Quote by Donald A. Norman
“The major problems facing the development of products that are safer, less prone to error, and easier to use and understand are not technological: they are social and organizational.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Design of Everyday Things, 2013
Product safety and usability depend more on social and organizational factors than on technology.
In simple terms: People, not tech, shape product safety.
Key Takeaway
Improve culture and processes.
Themes
design
usability
culture
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
practical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- software development
- healthcare devices
- consumer appliances
- team meetings
Key Concepts
human factors
organizational behavior
risk management
Questions to Reflect On
- How can teams foster a safety‑first mindset?
- What organizational changes boost usability?
A Different Perspective
Technical fixes alone cannot address deep‑seated cultural issues.
![“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)
