SH186: Being Efficient? Being Thorough? Which One Did You Choose?

This episode explores the Efficiency Thoroughness Trade-Off (ETTO), a concept by Erik Hollnagel that explains how we balance being thorough and efficient in everyday tasks, including diving. Using relatable examples like incomplete checks and forgotten tasks, we discuss how time pressures and biases often lead us to prioritize productivity over safety—usually with successful outcomes, but occasionally with costly mistakes. We examine how ETTO influences individual and organizational decisions, highlighting strategies like checklists and clear communication to counteract its risks. By understanding these trade-offs, we can learn from past incidents and create safer, more effective systems in diving and beyond.

Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/ETTO

Links: If Only documentary: https://www.thehumandiver.com/ifonly

Behavioural economics: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the-bend-is-uninteresting-the-related-decisions-are-much-more-so

ETTO paper: https://erikhollnagel.com/onewebmedia/ETTO.pdf

System 1 to System 2 thinking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cfd8z3l3TYk

Tags:  English, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Incident Analysis, Non-technical Skills