--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The paradox is that when we model future…" description: "\"The paradox is that when we model future designs on past successes, we are inviting failure down the line; when we take into account past failures and ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6dc/henry-petroski-10198_account_the-paradox-is-that-when-we-model-future_963745.png" --- # The paradox is that when we model future designs on past… ![“The paradox is that when we model future designs on past successes, we are inviting failure down the line; when we take into account past failures and anticipate potential new ways in which failure can occur, we are more likely to produce successful designs.” quote by Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6dc/henry-petroski-10198_account_the-paradox-is-that-when-we-model-future_963745.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6dc/henry-petroski-10198_account_the-paradox-is-that-when-we-model-future_963745.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6dc/henry-petroski-10198_account_the-paradox-is-that-when-we-model-future_963745.png) > “The paradox is that when we model future designs on past successes, we are inviting failure down the line; when we take into account past failures and anticipate potential new ways in which failure can occur, we are more likely to produce successful designs.” [Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Relying on past successes can cause future failures; learning from past failures improves design success **In simple terms:** Avoid repeating past successes blindly; learn from failures Key Takeaway Incorporate failure analysis into design process Themes design failure learning Mood analytical forward‑looking Type technical strategic When to use this quote - product development - architecture - innovation strategy Key Concepts engineering systems theory Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance past lessons with new ideas? - What processes capture failure insights? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on past successes may stifle creativity ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Failures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failures/) [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Paradox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradox/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Past failures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-failures/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Successes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successes/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) ## Related quotes > [Everything we do is designed, whether we're producing a magazine, a website, or a bridge. 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