We assert that it is possible to describe analytically any human function which can be reasonably defined in objective terms and we specifically incl… - Robert E. Machol

Sometimes it is more difficult to formulate the criterion for a problem than to state the question itself.

Management has a design and operation function, as does engineering. The design is usually done under the heading of organization. It should be noted first that the performance of a group of people is a strong function of the capabilities of the individuals and a rather weak function of the way they are organized. That is, good people do a fairly good job under almost any organization and a somewhat better one when the organization is good. Poor talent does a poor job with a bad organization, but it is still a poor job no matter what the organization. Repeated reorganizations are noted in groups of individuals poorly suited to their function, though no amount of good organization will give good performance. The best architectural design fails with poor bricks and mortar. But the payoff from good organization with good people is worthwhile.

Most accidents in well-designed systems involve two or more events of low probability occurring in the worst possible combination.