Consequences

Citation

(2001), "Consequences", Work Study, Vol. 50 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ws.2001.07950aaa.006

Consequences

Consequences

I came across a phrase I'd never heard before – but one that resonated with me. It was "The law of unintended consequences", and the gist of its meaning is that whenever you make a change to a complex system (such as an organisation!) there will always be unintended consequences (UCs). (Politicians are notoriously bad at this – their knee-jerk reactions to situations result in making policy "on the hoof", and such quick policies almost always have UCs. This phenomenon is also the source of the saying, "Quick law is bad law!") Careful thought and planning can minimise these, but post-change activity is necessary to monitor the changing situation and recognise these UCs as they arise and – mitigate against any harmful effects they may have.