[Handprint4469]

I disagree. The main point of this line is not about what to do _after_ a mistake (assign blame, punish, etc), but rather about setting up the correct incentives _before_ anything happens so that a mistake is less likely.

When you're accountable you suddenly have skin in the game, so you'll be more careful about whatever you're doing.

[taeric]

Right, I guessed this is what people had in mind. I'll note that this line of thinking typically doesn't get better results. It largely just gets more "red tape" so that you have to get people to sign off on things. And the person that shows up to do something will have all of their red tape in order so that they are not responsible for any damages that result from carrying out their job.

Agreed that personal responsibility is important and people should strive to it more. Disagree that accountability is the same thing, or that you can implement it by policy. Still more strongly disagreed that you should look for a technical solution to what is largely not a technical problem.