Reliability and Risk in Perspective

All systems, natural or man-made, are subject to failure. We have discussed methods of analysis of failure phenomena and approaches which may help in the design of more reliable systems. Man plays an important role both in the design and use of systems and contributes to the failure of both natural and man-made systems. On the other hand nature may also cause failure, through natural events or interactive factors. The nature of failures varies widely as do the causes of failure events and the events leading to failures. Man’s contributions to the failure of systems involves 1.conception or misconception of system requirements, capability, or environment2.design deficiencies and erroneous assumptions3.faulty construction, manufacture, erection and installation4.mistakes in the methods or procedures of operation5.control and management of the system.