Managing High Reliability Organizations

On a worldwide basis, a growing number of organizations operate in ways that can result in catastrophic consequences. Within this set of potentially hazardous organizations, there are a number that have operated nearly error free for long periods of time. This article examines what characterizes their operations and how managers can know whether their organizations are hazardous or potentially hazardous. The article also explores the steps that can be taken to ameliorate the potentially negative effects of design strategies that might result in catastrophic outcomes.