Complexity and Consequence

This article discusses different reasons of failure of engineering systems and how such failures can be avoided. It is human nature and economically attractive to discount the low-probability, high-severity consequences in the design and development of complex systems. Discounting or ignoring the effects of worst-case scenarios, however, can lead to a culture of complacency that heightens risks. Failure due to poor development can be traced to a lack of organizational commitment to systems thinking. An example of this is a lack of communications between designers and end users. System designed without the user in mind and without regard to human factors for safe operation and maintenance can have disastrous results. Overly complex user interfaces in both hardware and software systems are common points of failure. Failures due to a lack of training should not be considered the fault of the individual operator, but as a blunder in foresight by management. Improved training of end users has been shown to significantly reduce system failures and improve the integrity of systems.