Able Quote by Henry Petroski
“Engineers are not superhuman. They make mistakes in their assumptions, in their calculations, in their conclusions. That they make mistakes is forgivable; that they catch them is imperative. Thus it is the essence of modern engineering not only to be able to check one's own work but also to have one's work checked and to be able to check the work of others.”
About This Quote
Source Book: To Engineer Is Human, 1985
Engineering relies on verification; mistakes are inevitable, but systematic review prevents failures.
In simple terms: Check work, catch errors.
Key Takeaway
Implement rigorous peer review.
Themes
engineering
quality
risk management
Mood
analytical
pragmatic
Type
technical
educational
When to use this quote
- product design
- construction projects
- software development
- research labs
Key Concepts
error analysis
verification
collaboration
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure your work is reviewed?
- Who can you trust to critique your designs?
A Different Perspective
Even experts err; without checks, errors can be costly.
![“Whether or not science can be applied to that mental construct [i.e. the designed entity] is a matter of availability. If there is body of scientific knowledge that can be applied, then it would be foolish not to exploit it. However, if there is none, it does not mean that the thing cannot be…” quote by Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/17d/henry-petroski-10198_availability_whether-or-not-science-can-be-applied-to_341822.jpg)
