“When you put a limit on a measure, if that measure relates to efficiency, the limit will be used as a target.”
Author: stevenshorrock
This blog is written by Dr Steven Shorrock, a Chartered Psychologist and Chartered Ergonomist and Human Factors Specialist. I work as an interdisciplinary humanistic, systems and design practitioner in safety critical industries. In 2025, I was awarded the status of Fellow of the British Psychological Society (FBPsS) for my practice and research in transportation, healthcare and other industries. This is the highest designation the society can bestow, showing recognition of significant contribution to the advancement or communication of psychological knowledge and practice by research, teaching, publications and public service, and by organising and developing the work of others. I am also an Adjunct Professor at University of the Sunshine Coast, Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science, and Faculty at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. I blog in a personal capacity. Views expressed here are mine and not those of any affiliated organisation. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/steveshorrock/ Email: contact[at]humanisticsystems[dot]com
‘Human Factors’ (or Ergonomics) is often presented as something that it’s not, or as something…
‘Human Factors’ (or Ergonomics) is often presented as something that it’s not, or as something…
‘Human Factors’ (or Ergonomics) is often presented as something that it’s not, or as something…
‘Human Factors’ (or Ergonomics) is often presented as something that it’s not, or as something…
In this post, I outline four common homes for HF/E within organisations, drawing on personal experience in each of the four organisational divisions in different organisations. I conclude with some of the implications of organisational homelessness.
The term ‘Human Performance’ (and ‘Human and Organisational Performance’ (or HOP) has become increasingly common…
In this short series, I highlight seven foes and seven friends of system safety, both for explanation and intervention. Each is a concept, meme, or device used in thinking, language, and intervention (reinforced by more fundamental foes that act as barriers to thinking). They are not the only foes or friends, of course, but they are significant ones that either crop up regularly in discussions and writings about safety, or else – in the case of friends – should do. In this post, I outline seven friends of intervention.
In this short series, I highlight seven foes and seven friends of system safety, both…
In this short series, I highlight seven foes and seven friends of system safety, both for explanation and intervention. Each is a concept, meme, or device used in thinking, language, and intervention (reinforced by more fundamental foes that act as barriers to thinking). They are not the only foes or friends, of course, but they are significant ones that either crop up regularly in discussions and writings about safety, or else – in the case of friends – should do.
In this post, I outline seven foes of intervention.
Humanistic Systems 