Definitionv1DF-255
Redundancy
the presence of multiple independent paths between critical nodes in a system, where each path does not share a failure mode with the others, such that the system remains connected and functional even when some paths fail.
Why This Is a Definition
This definition clearly establishes what redundancy means in the context of systems thinking, identifying both the presence of multiple paths and the critical requirement of independence between those paths. It distinguishes redundancy from mere duplication and connects it directly to system functionality and failure tolerance. The definition is precise enough to distinguish from related concepts like waste or duplication without independence.