Understanding Harm as a System Behaviour
Harm does not behave randomly. It follows predictable patterns influenced by process design, information flow, communication dynamics, role structures and organisational constraints. Harm Thermodynamics makes this behaviour visible.
The Core Idea
Harm is not just an outcome — it is a movement through a system. It progresses through states, responds to acceleration factors, and eventually crosses thresholds where capability and safety limits are exceeded.
The Three Pillars of Harm Thermodynamics
Harm States
The stages harm moves through as conditions worsen or stabilise.
Harm typically moves through four states — Early Friction, Pattern Formation, Compounding Harm, Systemic Risk. Each state signals what kind of intervention becomes necessary.
Explore Harm States →Acceleration Factors
Conditions inside systems that speed up harm progression.
When information delays, unclear processes or role ambiguity are present, harm accelerates. Acceleration makes situations harder to resolve and increases the pressure placed on individuals.
View Acceleration Factors →Escalation Thresholds
When the issue exceeds a person’s capacity to manage it safely.
Thresholds mark the shift from “try to resolve internally” to “structured support required”. They are not personal failings — they are system markers that show when risk has crossed into unsafe territory.
Learn About Thresholds →Why Harm Behaves Predictably
In organisations, harm is influenced by system structures — not just interpersonal behaviour. When processes are vague, information is unclear, or decisions are delayed, harm accelerates.
When systems are responsive, transparent and aligned, harm stabilises because uncertainty is reduced.
Harm Thermodynamics helps you:
- recognise risk early,
- predict how a situation will move,
- understand what decisions are available,
- and identify when support is required.