An opinion piece from the famous Brookings Institution discusses the reaction to the Minneapolis bridge collapse. Many are asking for a instant response to inspect other bridges and emergency appropriations, but the problem may be systemic.

To quote directly:

Once funds are allocated the states can distribute them among projects as they see fit. Oversight is limited only to ensuring that they comply with federal guidelines and accepted design standards….A state that prioritized spending so none of its bridges were structurally deficient would not be rewarded in any way, nor would a state that allowed its infrastructure to slip further into disrepair be penalized.

The story of the tragedy in Minnesota is the same one which occurs under less dire circumstances at any organization at any level. A dramatic, unexpected event usually inspires immediate and swift reaction even though the real need is to understand the larger environment that which allowed the event to occur in the first place.

Well-built, regularly inspected bridges can serve a community without incident for generations. Likewise, all stakeholders can benefit from procedures and processes which have been designed using the best available engineering resources, but only if they are maintained and managed for the life of the organization. If your company or non-profit entity is facing a crisis, resolve the issue and then reach out to Slaughter Development. We help companies understand why anomalies happen and how to change policy and workflow accordingly.

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