Definitionv1DF-476
System error
an error that originates from structural features of a system rather than individual worker performance, representing common cause variation that produces predictable patterns and requires systemic fixes rather than personal effort
Why This Is a Definition
This definition precisely captures the distinction between system errors and individual errors by identifying system error as originating from structural features, being a form of common cause variation, and requiring systemic rather than personal solutions. It directly references Deming's framework and distinguishes this from special cause variation.
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Defines (46)
AxiomAutomatic Fusion of Observation and InterpretationAxiomPerceptual Plasticity Through TrainingAxiomSystematic Overconfidence TaxonomyAxiomEmotion as Systematic Cognitive ModulatorAxiomMeaning as Receiver ConstructionAxiomCultural Transmission Through Shared IntentionalityAxiomBrain as Hierarchical Prediction MachineAxiomLooping Effects of Human ClassificationAxiomAutomatic Pattern PerceptionAxiomPeople interpret failure as either evidence about…AxiomCatastrophic failures in complex systems rarely result…AxiomProcess variation consists of two fundamentally different…AxiomWhen estimating future task duration, people naturally adoptAxiomReference class forecasting (using base rates from similar…AxiomHumans exhibit automation complacency — reducing monitoring…AxiomDefault options determine behavior more reliably…PrincipleApply the same tags to notes from different domains…PrincipleProcess inbox items in two distinct passes—first clarifying…PrincipleInstrument systems with the minimum number of metrics…PrincipleWhen designing cognitive agents, examine the full pattern…PrincipleBuild cognitive agents with multiple independent trigger…PrincipleIdentify and eliminate shared dependencies across multiple…PrincipleBlock your measured peak attention hours on your calendar…PrincipleUse the 'five whys' technique on any significant energy…PrincipleBuild energy systems through sequential single-component…PrincipleWhen initial hypotheses form during debugging or incident…PrincipleDesign social chain links to specify your own behavior…PrincipleConduct functional analysis before attempting extinction…PrincipleDistinguish between hypothesis failure (wrong theory)…PrincipleMaintain a separate backlog for experimental ideas distinct…PrincipleIdentify and reduce context dependencies in important habitsPrincipleAct on courageous decisions while fear's activation energy…PrincipleWhen holding more power in a relationship (formal authority…PrincipleTest causal hypotheses about personal patterns through…PrinciplePeriodically surface process schemas by extracting embedded…PrincipleDefine explicit escalation criteria specifying…PrincipleLeverage tacit team knowledge about individual strengths…PrincipleUse satisficing decision rules (define 'good enough'…PrincipleAggregate predictions by confidence level and compare statedPrincipleBefore applying expertise developed in one domain…PrincipleDesign physical and digital workspaces to afford only…PrincipleDocument not only what tools you use but the complete…PrincipleNavigate vertically through abstraction layers by asking…PrincipleApplying a single decision process across structurally…PrincipleTreat major changes in goals, team composition, or system…PrincipleImplement each identified root cause as an encoded…