Failure Quote by James Reason
““Error is intimately bound up with the notion of intention. The term ‘error’ can only be meaningfully applied to planned actions that fail to achieve their desired consequences without the intervention of some chance or unforeseeable agency. Two basic error types were identified: slips (and lapses), where the actions do not go according to plan, and mistakes, where the plan itself is inadequate to achieve its objectives.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Human Error, James Reason, 1990
Error arises when intended actions fail due to slips (execution failures) or mistakes (flawed plans).
In simple terms: Planned actions can go wrong because of execution or planning flaws.
Key Takeaway
Identify whether a failure is a slip or a mistake.
Themes
human error
cognition
decision making
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
theoretical
educational
When to use this quote
- workplace safety
- software development
- medical procedures
- aviation
- education
Key Concepts
slips
mistakes
intentionality
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we distinguish slips from mistakes in real time?
- What safeguards reduce both types of error?
A Different Perspective
Human error often involves complex system factors beyond individual control.
