My thoughts and observations on improving complex systems.https://serene-ink.pages.dev/en-ushttps://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2024/post-1/https://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2024/post-1/My recent trip to the States involved connections in Auckland (NZ) and Houston (TX). On the way back home, I flew on a B737 MAX8 for the first time.Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2024/post-2/https://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2024/post-2/I have just returned from a visit to the Georgia Tech campus in Atlanta, GA. I was fortunate enough to have been invited by distinguished faculty of the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering (AE School) to hold some introductory lectures.Sat, 07 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2024/post-3/https://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2024/post-3/It is a common misconception that workplace safety and system safety have the same objectives. In short, wrong. With few exceptions, mixing up workplace and system safety management is not only counterproductive, it can also lead to serious consequences.Fri, 13 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2024/post-4/https://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2024/post-4/In aviation circles, the Grumman F-11 Tiger is known as a capable carrier-based fighter aircraft, the second operational jet in US Navy service that could fly faster than the speed of sound. In popular culture, it is better known as one of the first types flown by the Blue Angels and, most regrettably, it can also claim the title as the first fighter jet that managed to shoot itself down.Sat, 21 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2024/post-5/https://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2024/post-5/Learning from experience is a critical element in system safety. In this blog post, I will revisit the impact of safety culture on what response can be expected from an organisation when a major accident happens. More specifically, I will explain the main reasons why a *pathological organisation* is not supportive of public inquiry and, as a result, unable to learn from a tragic safety loss.Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2024/post-6/https://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2024/post-6/The complexity of each new generation of commercial or military aircraft is growing exponentially due to an ever-increasing demand for new functionality. Software offers the least cost option to implement new functions in modern aerospace systems. As a result, software complexity has grown beyond human comprehension. This article offers my thoughts on what this means for system safety.Sun, 03 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2025/post-10/https://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2025/post-10/Teaching the imagination of failure – the ability to conceptualise and analyse unusual or unexpected forms of failure – is crucial for developing job-ready engineering graduates.Sat, 31 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2025/post-11/https://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2025/post-11/TWithout a proper understanding of the actual constraints and limitations observed in real-life, design assumptions about humans and automated systems can fall short of what is required for safe operations.Sun, 28 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2025/post-7/https://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2025/post-7/A large part of public relations (PR) management is about prevention. PR advisors focus on the worst possible outcome and try everything in their power to change perceptions before bad things happen. The main difference between system safety and PR is the key objective, while PR management is there to protect the organisation from any harm, system safety is about eliminating or controlling safety hazards, even if the source of the hazard is the organisation or its leaders.Fri, 03 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2025/post-8/https://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2025/post-8/Whenever a high-profile accident occurs, a lot of ill-informed commentary appears in the media, including otherwise reliable news channels. In this article, I offer my thoughts on how to avoid the pitfalls associated with this harmful trend, following recent events in South Korea.Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2025/post-9/https://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2025/post-9/I am thrilled to share that I have been accepted into the esteemed faculty at the renowned Georgia Institute of Technology - a dream destination for my teaching career.Thu, 24 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2026/post-12/https://serene-ink.pages.dev/posts/2026/post-12/NASA must address several challenges to safely fly and return humans to the Moon. The most time-sensitive issue is preparing Artemis II for a planned 10-day mission on a lunar orbit.Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT