Safety Management Complexity: A Systems Thinking Approach

Natalie Carter, Mo Mansouri

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper uses systems thinking techniques and visualizations to describe the purpose and key components of effective safety management systems. The paper identifies the elements, actors, and relationships that compose safety management systems and discusses the importance of the social, organizational, and behavioral dynamics from which safety culture emerges. A formal system model, a systemigram, will illustrate the purpose and multi-dimensionality of a safety management system and a non-linear multi-loop diagram captures the interrelations among its agents and the reinforcing and balancing forces that contribute to system dynamics. Concurrent and paradoxical attributes of safety management systems and safety culture are revealed. The paper concludes by advocating for the application of systems thinking, multidisciplinary technical rigor, strong organizational culture, and finally and perhaps most importantly, a participative approach when optimizing complex systems and system-of-systems for safety.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationISSE 2022 - 2022 8th IEEE International Symposium on Systems Engineering, Conference Proceedings
ISBN (Electronic)9781665481823
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
Event8th IEEE International Symposium on Systems Engineering, ISSE 2022 - Vienna, Austria
Duration: 24 Oct 202226 Oct 2022

Publication series

NameISSE 2022 - 2022 8th IEEE International Symposium on Systems Engineering, Conference Proceedings

Conference

Conference8th IEEE International Symposium on Systems Engineering, ISSE 2022
Country/TerritoryAustria
CityVienna
Period24/10/2226/10/22

Keywords

  • multi-dimensionality
  • safety
  • safety culture
  • safety management
  • systemigram
  • systems thinking

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