Understanding Ashby’s Law of Requisite Variety in the Context of New View Safety and HOP

In the landscape of workplace safety, professionals are increasingly looking for ways to adapt and respond to the complex, dynamic environments they operate in. One of the most profound concepts that can help guide this adaptive approach is Ashby’s Law of Requisite Variety, also known as the first law of cybernetics. At its core, Ashby’s Law states: 

"Only variety can absorb variety."

In simpler terms, to effectively respond to the diverse and unpredictable challenges within an environment, a system must possess an equal variety of responses. This idea, although originating in cybernetics, has powerful implications for modern safety practices, particularly in the realms of New View Safety and Human and Organisational Performance (HOP).

Breaking Down Ashby’s Law

To illustrate this further, imagine a workplace where the environment is constantly changing - new technologies, different people, evolving hazards, and regulatory requirements. If the safety protocols and responses in place are rigid and narrowly defined, they will inevitably fail to meet the demands of these varied challenges. A system that cannot adapt to the complexity of its environment is doomed to suffer inefficiencies, breakdowns, and ultimately, accidents.

In contrast, if that same organisation has a repertoire of safety responses that is flexible, adaptive, and capable of evolving with new risks, it can absorb the variety of challenges thrown at it. In this way, variety in safety measures becomes essential for absorbing the complexity of risks in the real world.

Connecting Ashby’s Law to New View Safety

New View Safety is built on the principle that safety isn’t just about managing the absence of accidents but is more about enabling systems and people to adapt and thrive in complex environments. Traditional safety approaches often focus on reducing errors by rigidly controlling behaviours and processes, but New View recognises that work systems need flexibility to manage the inherent complexity of the workplace.

In a New View Safety context, Ashby’s Law reminds us that organisations need a broad set of safety tools, responses, and strategies to handle the wide range of situations workers may encounter. Whether it’s through empowering frontline workers to solve problems in real-time or ensuring that leadership is attuned to the evolving nature of risk, a system with variety is a system that can survive and thrive.

The key here is that safety isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. By expanding our view of safety management, and equipping teams with diverse, real-time, and adaptive solutions, we meet Ashby’s criteria—developing a system capable of absorbing variety.

Applying Ashby’s Law in Human and Organisational Performance (HOP)

Human and Organisational Performance (HOP) focuses on understanding how humans interact with complex systems. It moves away from blaming individuals for errors and instead emphasises building systems that are resilient and can absorb human variability.

Ashby’s Law perfectly aligns with HOP’s core tenet: to be resilient, organisations must account for human variety. People will always have different ways of responding to situations—what HOP teaches is that instead of stifling these differences, we should embrace them. A workforce that is empowered to adapt to changing conditions and respond dynamically is more capable of absorbing the unexpected challenges that arise.

For example, consider a manufacturing plant where frontline workers face varied challenges daily, from machine malfunctions to unpredictable supply chain issues. In a rigid system, they may have to follow strict procedures that limit their ability to deal with these real-time problems effectively. In a HOP-informed system, they are trusted and encouraged to use their knowledge and creativity to solve problems on the spot. The variety in human responses helps the organisation remain adaptable and resilient.

Key Takeaways for Safety Professionals

- Adaptability is key: Ashby’s Law emphasises the need for systems to be as flexible as the challenges they face. Safety professionals should focus on creating safety systems that allow for real-time adaptation rather than relying solely on pre-scripted responses.

- Variety in tools and strategies: The more diverse your safety toolkit, the more prepared your organisation will be to respond to different risks. This includes investing in diverse training, fostering open communication, and empowering workers to make decisions.

- Empowering the frontline: Both New View Safety and HOP recognise the value of empowering frontline workers. Allowing workers to adapt and respond to challenges directly improves your system’s overall resilience.

Wrap Up

Ashby’s Law of Requisite Variety serves as a powerful reminder for safety professionals that rigidity in safety protocols can be a weakness. By fostering variety in both safety measures and human responses, we can build systems that are resilient, adaptive, and capable of absorbing the complexities and challenges of today’s dynamic workplaces.

New View Safety and HOP both underscore the importance of this flexibility, advocating for systems that can adjust and thrive, no matter the environment. As safety professionals, it is our job to ensure our systems aren't just prepared for what we expect, but also for the unexpected—and that can only be achieved through variety.