Insights Library

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 Without Being Made. That Is Not Indecision. That Is Undefined Ownership.

A Decision Sat Three Days Without Being Made. That Is Not Indecision. That Is Undefined Ownership.Martin Cable
Published on: 17/08/2026

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.

The Owner Was Named. The Date Passed. Now What?

The Owner Was Named. The Date Passed. Now What?

The Owner Was Named. The Date Passed. Now What?Martin Cable
Published on: 14/08/2026

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.

Same Defect, Same Line, Third Time This Year. The Fix Has Not Been Documented.

Same Defect, Same Line, Third Time This Year. The Fix Has Not Been Documented.

Same Defect, Same Line, Third Time This Year. The Fix Has Not Been Documented.Martin Cable
Published on: 13/08/2026

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.

Three Customers Chased for Updates Yesterday. Status Is Not Being Managed. It Is Being Reacted To.

Three Customers Chased for Updates Yesterday. Status Is Not Being Managed. It Is Being Reacted To.

Three Customers Chased for Updates Yesterday. Status Is Not Being Managed. It Is Being Reacted To.Martin Cable
Published on: 12/08/2026

Three customers chased for updates yesterday. Status is being reacted to, not managed. One step in the right place stops three calls tomorrow.

When the Line Gets Twitchy Because One Person Is Off, the Knowledge Has Not Been Captured

When the Line Gets Twitchy Because One Person Is Off, the Knowledge Has Not Been Captured

When the Line Gets Twitchy Because One Person Is Off, the Knowledge Has Not Been CapturedMartin Cable
Published on: 11/08/2026

Best operator off and the line gets twitchy? Shadowing transfers habits. Recording captures the system. Here is the fix.

Two Years Without a Proper Week Off Is a System Problem, Not a Dedication Problem

Two Years Without a Proper Week Off Is a System Problem, Not a Dedication Problem

Two Years Without a Proper Week Off Is a System Problem, Not a Dedication ProblemMartin Cable
Published on: 10/08/2026

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.

From reading to action

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