Unintended, Unanticipated ~ Does It Matter?

Belhaven Bridge, Scotland (Adobe Photo)

Happy 2023! Now, don’t ask me why, but I’ve been thinking about the difference between unintended and unanticipated consequences. Is there one? Does it matter? Given my role with companies, I think it does - a lot.

To me, unintended consequences are those that one is, was, or should have been, aware of if the proper due diligence or research into the project, product, or “thing” that caused the unintended consequence had been done… it was predictable or possible, no matter how remote the odds. For whatever reason, no measures were taken to eliminate or mitigate or address those consequences. They should have been - not necessarily implemented immediately, but on hand in case. It’s part of being responsible and accountable.

Unanticipated consequences are different. These are consequences one couldn’t have anticipated, have seen as even remotely possible or probable, that one couldn’t even have thought of or imagined. In this case, no amount of due diligence or research would have led to predicting the consequence. This does not negate the responsibility of acting to remedy the situation upon learning of it, but unlike unintended consequences, it does alleviate the responsibility of knowing the consequence could happen.

Consequences can be (hopefully) small, minor, and unharmful or they can be severe and long-lasting. As you work on existing and new things this year, stop for a moment and ponder the potential unintended consequences - and see how you can address them so they need not happen. And tell me what you think. Am I defining the two the way you do?