Practical thinking on
operational risk
Straightforward writing on the patterns that hold scaling businesses back, and how to address them. Based on real work with UK engineering and manufacturing businesses.
Most operational risk is not obvious until it starts slowing the business down. These articles cover the patterns that show up most often across growing businesses, and what can be done about them.
A Decision Sat Three Days Without Being Made. That Is Not Indecision. That Is Undefined Ownership.
A decision sat three days because no one knew who owned it. Undefined ownership shows up as delay, not conflict. Here is how to stop it. ...more
Operational Risk ,Friday Fix
August 17, 2026•2 min read
The Owner Was Named. The Date Passed. Now What?
Naming an owner and setting a date closes the meeting correctly. The fix only holds if the next meeting opens by checking whether the date was met. ...more
Operational Risk ,Friday Fix
August 14, 2026•2 min read
Same Defect, Same Line, Third Time This Year. The Fix Has Not Been Documented.
Same defect, same line, third time this year. The fix works but the standard has not changed. Here is how to close the problem, not just correct it. ...more
Operational Risk ,Friday Fix
August 13, 2026•2 min read
Three Customers Chased for Updates Yesterday. Status Is Not Being Managed. It Is Being Reacted To.
Three customers chased for updates yesterday. Status is being reacted to, not managed. One step in the right place stops three calls tomorrow. ...more
Operational Risk ,Friday Fix
August 12, 2026•2 min read
When the Line Gets Twitchy Because One Person Is Off, the Knowledge Has Not Been Captured
Best operator off and the line gets twitchy? Shadowing transfers habits. Recording captures the system. Here is the fix. ...more
Operational Risk ,Friday Fix
August 11, 2026•1 min read
Two Years Without a Proper Week Off Is a System Problem, Not a Dedication Problem
You haven't had a proper week off in two years. That is a system problem. Turn one recurring decision into a written rule and start to take it back. ...more
Operational Risk ,Friday Fix
August 10, 2026•2 min read
One Person Runs Your Month-End Close
One person owns your month-end close. If they are unavailable, the process stops. Here is how to document it and dry-run it this month. ...more
Operational Risk ,Friday Fix
August 07, 2026•1 min read
Replace the Verbal Handoff from Sales to Delivery with a Structured Form
When the handoff from sales to delivery keeps losing key details, converting it to a structured form fixes the problem at source. ...more
Operational Risk ,Friday Fix
August 06, 2026•2 min read
Write Down What Your Team Is Authorised to Decide
When your team keeps waiting for your approval on routine decisions, writing down what they can decide removes you from the loop. ...more
Operational Risk ,Friday Fix
August 05, 2026•2 min read
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