Learning From Failure--The Systems Approach [Paperback]

Joyce Fortune (Author), Geoff Peters (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471944203 | ISBN-13: 978-0471944201 | Publication Date: October 26, 1995 | Edition: 1

It provides a wide ranging examination of failures, accidents, disasters and human error before focusing on one particular methodology for looking at past and potential failures: the Systems Failures Methods. It gives a detailed exposition of the method and a full account of its application.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For those involved in the review of major projects...it is essential."  (Journal of the Operational Research Society, 59) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

The authors examine a broad range of system failures, accidents, disasters and human errors before focusing on one particular technique for regarding past and potential fiascos: the Systems Failure Method. Using case study material, they present a detailed exposition of the Method and a full account of its application. Case studies include an aircraft engine fire, a massive gas leak in Bhopal, India and IT in health care.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 274 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 26, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471944203
• ISBN-13: 978-0471944201
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,832,895 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #89 in Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Systems Analysis

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Information Systems &Technology Management avoiding failure, April 25, 2005

By 

Dr. M. Hebel (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Information Systems: Achieving Success by Avoiding Failure (Paperback)

There are many issues surrounding the notion of failure, from denial, to acceptance as a way of learning in order to succeed. I am pleased to see this book taking such a constructive attitude. To paraphrase, failure happens, learn from it, move on and mange effectively. In particular this notion is applied to Information Systems and the management of technology without which it would be hard to live and work in the 21st century. In other words you don't have to be in IT or on a technology management course to appreciate the impact information has. This book will help you to get there.

It is interesting and well thought through with some fantastic models typifying for me the real difference of systems thinking, the ability to connect learning and use different ways of communicating in order to get the best outcome. It is also written in a way that meant I could clearly hear the voices of the authors speaking as well as demonstrating their ideas in diagrams and text.

The case studies also help to illustrate the author's ideas by showing the consequences of failure over time. They have not been afraid to use some traditional, but what some might consider old fashioned, ideas of control and formal systems which I believe still have considerable relevance. They have integrated them well with newer models and concepts and so I recommend this book for professionals and students alike.