About this project

This is a library of named patterns — the recurring dynamics that explain why organisations and people behave the way they do, especially under pressure.

Most of these patterns have been observed and described by researchers, managers, and writers over the past hundred years. Many have clinical names buried in academic papers. This project reframes them in plain English and makes them practical.

Two series

Of Course It Went Wrong covers failure modes: the drift, avoidance, optimism bias, and hidden costs that quietly pull good plans off course. Most readers find they recognise every chapter.

Of Course It Went Right covers the mirror image: the conditions, habits, and structural choices that make things work reliably. Fewer people notice these in action, which is partly the point.

How to read it

Chapters are short. Each covers one named pattern — what it is, where it shows up, and how to spot it. They are written to stand alone, but they are ordered for a reason. Reading in sequence builds a vocabulary that makes later chapters faster to absorb.

The goal is a book. Probably self-published. The chapters here are a working draft.

Contact

Questions, corrections, or a pattern you think belongs here: dean@imthebus.co.uk