RISK MITIGATION IN LARGE-SCALE SYSTEMS - LESSONS FROM HIGH-RELIABILITY ORGANIZATIONS

This article argues that we should turn our attention from single orga nizations to systems of organizations if we are to manage in a way tha t reduces the potential for catastrophic outcomes in organizations. Ri sk mitigation measures for large-scale systems are derived from resear ch on high reliability organizations (HROs). The article focuses on ch aracteristics similar to both types of systems-which include simultane ous autonomy and interdependence, intended and unintended consequences of behavior, long incubation periods during which problems can arise, and risk migration-and shows how risk mitigation principles that evol ved from HRO research can be applied to large-scale systems.