According Quote by Henry Petroski
“We can't simply blame the engineers when things go wrong because, no matter how well they plan, things don't always go according to plan.”
About This Quote
Source Book: To Engineer Is Human, 1992
Engineers cannot be blamed alone for failures; unforeseen variables and complex systems often cause unexpected outcomes.
In simple terms: Engineers share responsibility for failures.
Key Takeaway
Plan for uncertainty and collaborate on solutions.
Themes
engineering
responsibility
risk
Mood
analytical
cautious
Type
technical
practical
When to use this quote
- product design
- construction projects
- software development
Key Concepts
systems thinking
human error
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you allocate blame fairly?
- What safeguards reduce unexpected failures?
A Different Perspective
Even with planning, some failures are inevitable.
![“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)
