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A Modeling Framework for Exposing Risks in Complex Systems
Author(s) -
Sharit Joseph
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
risk analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.972
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1539-6924
pISSN - 0272-4332
DOI - 10.1111/0272-4332.204045
Subject(s) - risk analysis (engineering) , computer science , variety (cybernetics) , complex system , set (abstract data type) , reliability (semiconductor) , systems modeling , systems theory , systems analysis , management science , system of systems , data science , systems design , systems engineering , artificial intelligence , software engineering , engineering , medicine , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , programming language
This article introduces and develops a modeling framework for exposing risks in the form of human errors and adverse consequences in high‐risk systems. The modeling framework is based on two components: a two‐dimensional theory of accidents in systems developed by Perrow in 1984, and the concept of multiple system perspectives. The theory of accidents differentiates systems on the basis of two sets of attributes. One set characterizes the degree to which systems are interactively complex; the other emphasizes the extent to which systems are tightly coupled. The concept of multiple perspectives provides alternative descriptions of the entire system that serve to enhance insight into system processes. The usefulness of these two model components derives from a modeling framework that cross‐links them, enabling a variety of work contexts to be exposed and understood that would otherwise be very difficult or impossible to identify. The model components and the modeling framework are illustrated in the case of a large and comprehensive trauma care system. In addition to its general utility in the area of risk analysis, this methodology may be valuable in applications of current methods of human and system reliability analysis in complex and continually evolving high‐risk systems.