Outcome Bias

Outcome bias, a behavioural trait, refers to the tendency for people to judge the correctness of an action based on its outcome rather than the decision-modelling or reasoning behind it. If there is an adverse outcome to an action, it will be treated as having been the result of poor decision-making and rationale when both may in fact have been optimal. Conversely, a positive outcome will be treated as the result of sound decision-making and good intentions when the opposite may in fact have been the case. Outcome bias can lead organisations to adopt a blame culture.