OZ 2010/1-2

14 ORGANIZACIJA ZNANJA 2010, LETN. 15, ZV. 1 – 2 place of problems origin. By treating the manifestations of problems we can change only the forms of problems manifestation. However, the problems will persist. By backtracking to the place of problems origin the disciplines can react more accordingly and provide us with more satisfying solutions to the problems. The results of our analysis show that ethical problems belong to the class of quality problems. However, we cannot claim that quality problems are the place of origin. By not underestimating the contribution of the fathers of quality assurance we can say that quality assurance was re-invented in the middle of the last century because of new complexities caused by technological development. Knowledge of that time was simply not sufficient to cope with the new situation. Quality assurance was essential for catching up with the technological development. Would the technological development have persisted through centuries, with the absence of quality before quality assurance? No. This shows that due to technological development our knowledge and ability to govern technological changes for meeting our needs and expectations may be at stake. Similarly, severe ethical and quality problems we are facing now could merely be an indicator that our contemporary knowledge may not be sufficient to cope with new complexities introduced by the latest technological development. Ethical problems are not new to technological development (e.g. building of the Panama Canal). Such situations indicate biased comprehension of quality (e.g. quality of the mega structure only). Many professions are facing severe ethical problems. This indicates the discrepancy between expectations and achievements, which leads us back to the meaning of quality in a much broader sense – can disciplines provide knowledge and technologies that will support the quality of life to a greater extent? The results of our analysis show that this is not unachievable. As users we have the right to satisfy our needs. However, when satisfying our needs we should not prevent others from satisfying their needs and we should be able to know what we really need and what we believe we need. 8. CONCLUSIONS One may claim that most technological achievements were not due to user set requirements but to visionary individuals. This can be true but it is also true that the technological achievements not meeting user needs and expectations could not survive. No significant evidence was found that user problems were systematically collected, elaborated and analysed in the past. We cannot expect users to set elaborated requirements (e.g. we need calculators, computers, the Internet). More likely they will express their needs and expectations through problems (e.g. our calculations are so extensive that we cannot completely avoid errors, our data collections cannot be managed successfully by established means anymore). By collecting, elaborating and analysing the problems users have, realistic visions can be developed. This requires a more elaborated communication among stakeholders. Problems discovered indicate discrepancies that cannot be resolved by sticking to established patterns of technology development. The problems are not so hard to solve; however, they persist. Why? Complexities caused by new technologies and increased specialization of knowledge make it hard to recognize problems that manifest differently in different disciplines, which in addition may not have well established communication among themselves. It was not our goal to use the model as a model for quality assurance. However, the quality assurance turned out as the most basic problem in technology development. It is a significant recognition that even simple models like the one presented can be effective in discovering and solving real-life problems. Such a model enables us to focus our attention on important issues. However, it can also misleads if not properly built and manipulated. Problem removal requires backtracking to its place of origin. Ever growing body of knowledge and increased specialization require more elaborated communication among processes and professions than ever to completely remove a problem. Treating only problem manifestations can lead to a situation controlled by restrictions to keep it bearable. Technology development should always be accompanied with the development of knowledge and skills to enable productive use of new technologies and protection against technology abuse. Assuring quality lowers the level of problems. Biased comprehension of quality can be a source of new serious problems. The discovery that all problems are quality problems requires collaboration (not competition) of everybody involved to come to solutions. Quality assurance is not a promise of an ideal world. However, by striving towards quality, the level of problems can be reduced. One cannot imagine a better promoter of a technology than the technology itself Maksimiljan Gerkeš: MODELLING OF PROCESSES – TEHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT