complex system failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complex system failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing issues related to intricate systems, such as technology, engineering, or organizational structures that have encountered a breakdown. Example: "The investigation revealed that the complex system failure was due to a combination of software bugs and hardware malfunctions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In October, the American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME) will convene a task force of experts and authorities in risk management processes to begin exploration of experiences across industries, lessons learned, best practices, R&D needs and ethical responsibilities associated with mitigating the consequences of complex system failures.

Huffington Post

In addition to medication errors involving insulin, other errors may also fall through the multidisciplinary "safety net" as a result of complex system failures.

Diabetes Care

began to be introduced in to existing risk and safety analyses and (3) a contemporary stage in which concern with complex system failures and subsequent accidents and disasters began to generate interest in the examination of underlying sociotechnical factors.

Ergonomics

Both are examples of a type of organizational breakdown that is destined, absent some fundamental rethinking of what "leadership" means, to become ever more common and damaging: complex systems failures triggered by seeming rational patterns of cost-reduction decision-making.

Harvard Business Review

The only antidote to complex systems failures is systems leadership — a commitment on the part of leaders to be accountable for the cumulative impact of decisions and to take responsibility for what happens across organizational boundaries within their organizations and more in their supply, design, and distribution chains.

Harvard Business Review

In this model he suggests that in complex systems, failures are prevented from occurring much of the time because of a variety of barriers that serve as checks and balances.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Airlines, of course, are only one of many industries with complex systems whose failure can be catastrophic.

The New York Times

Open image in new window Fig. 5 Adverse consequences of a complex, large-scale technological system failure and their interactive effects.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Tolerating unavoidable process failures in complex systems and intelligent failures at the frontiers of knowledge won't promote mediocrity.

Harvard Business Review

Offshore drilling is a complex system prone to technological failures that are difficult to predict and challenging to comprehend in real-time.

The Guardian

While there are a number of well-established failure analysis (physics-of-failure) models for individual components, these models do not hold good for complex systems as their failure behaviours may be totally different.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the causes of a "complex system failure", be specific about the contributing factors and interdependencies within the system. Providing detailed context helps the audience understand the underlying mechanisms.

Common error

Avoid attributing a "complex system failure" to a single cause. These failures often result from multiple interacting factors, and simplifying the explanation can lead to misunderstanding and ineffective solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complex system failure" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an event or state of malfunction within an intricate and interconnected system. Based on Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for describing intricate system issues.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "complex system failure" refers to the breakdown of an intricate, interconnected system, and Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While versatile, it's most common in technical, academic, and professional contexts. Key to addressing these failures is recognizing their multi-faceted nature and avoiding oversimplified explanations. Effective alternatives include "system malfunction" or "system breakdown", depending on the nuance desired. Addressing this issue requires a holistic approach, as pinpointing a single cause is often insufficient.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

system malfunction

Focuses on the system exhibiting incorrect behavior without necessarily implying a complete breakdown.

system breakdown

Emphasizes a complete cessation of function within the system.

complex system error

Highlights the presence of errors within the complex system, which may or may not lead to a failure.

cascade failure in a complex system

Specifically describes a failure where one component's failure triggers a series of subsequent failures.

complex system disruption

Indicates an interruption or disturbance in the normal operation of a complex system.

technological system failure

Limits the context to technological systems, highlighting their breakdown.

organizational system failure

Specifies that the failure occurs within an organizational structure or system.

critical system failure

Emphasizes the severity and importance of the failed system.

large-scale system failure

Indicates that the failure affects a system that is broad in scope or size.

multi-system failure

Suggests simultaneous failure across multiple interconnected systems.

FAQs

What does "complex system failure" mean?

A "complex system failure" refers to a breakdown or malfunction in a system that consists of multiple interconnected components, where the failure is often caused by the interaction of several factors.

How to use "complex system failure" in a sentence?

Example: "The investigation revealed that the "complex system failure" was due to a combination of software bugs and hardware malfunctions."

What are some potential causes of a "complex system failure"?

Potential causes can include design flaws, software errors, hardware malfunctions, human error, and unexpected interactions between components. Addressing "complex system failure" requires a systemic approach.

What can I say instead of "complex system failure"?

You can use alternatives like "system malfunction", "system breakdown", or "critical system failure", depending on the context.