Risk management in the design of engineering projects as sociotechnical systems

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 85-99
Author(s):  
Bryan R. Moser ◽  
Ralph T. Wood ◽  
Kazuo Hiekata
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Sociotechnical Systems ◽  
Engineering Projects

Analyzing common approaches of accident models for risk management in socio-technical systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kiwan ◽  
D.V. Berezkin ◽  
M. Raad ◽  
B. Rasheed
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Human Error ◽  
Practical Importance ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Sociotechnical Systems ◽  
Technical Aspects ◽  
The Social ◽  
Technical Systems ◽  
Traditional Approaches

Statement of a problem. One of the main tasks today is to prevent accidents in complex systems, which requires determining their cause. In this regard, several theories and models of the causality of accidents are being developed. Traditional approaches to accident modeling are not sufficient for the analysis of accidents occurring in complex environments such as socio-technical systems, since an accident is not the result of individual component failure or human error. Therefore, we need more systematic methods for the investigation and modeling of accidents. Purpose. Conduct a comparative analysis of accident models in complex systems, identify the strengths and weaknesses of each of these models, and study the feasibility of their use in risk management in socio-technical systems. The paper analyzes the main approaches of accident modeling and their limitations in determining the cause-and-effect relationships and dynamics of modern complex systems. the methodologies to safety and accident models in sociotechnical systems based on systems theory are discussed. The complexity of sociotechnical systems requires new methodologies for modeling the development of emergency management. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the socio-technical system as a whole and to focus on the simultaneous consideration of the social and technical aspects of the systems. When modeling accidents, it is necessary to take into account the social structures and processes of social interaction, the cultural environment, individual characteristics of a person, such as their abilities and motivation, as well as the engineering design and technical aspects of systems. Practical importance. Based on analyzing various techniques for modeling accidents, as well as studying the examples used in modeling several previous accidents and review the results of this modeling, it is concluded that it is necessary to improve the modeling techniques. The result was the appearance of hybrid models of risk management in socio-technical systems, which we will consider in detail in our next work.

Project review — do you really know where you are?

1994 ◽  
Vol 98 (973) ◽  
pp. 91-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. R. Balthazor
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Trend Analysis ◽  
High Technology ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Rapid Response ◽  
Earned Value ◽  
Systems Perspective ◽  
The Right ◽  
Project Objectives ◽  
Engineering Projects

Abstract Project reviews are carried out to enable the right decisions to be taken to achieve project objectives. However, these decisions are often taken on incomplete, optimistic, inaccurate, misleading or simply wrong information. Whilst incompleteness is inevitable with the complex and rapidly changing nature of high technology engineering projects, it is important that the project manager has a good appreciation of the extent to which these other factors may affect the progress information upon which judgements are made. This paper explores a few of the traps the author has come across, and suggests possible approaches to avoid some of them. A systems perspective is recommended, with a focus on risk management, resolving ambiguity, rapid response, trend analysis, earned value principles and taking account of the effects of organisational changes.

scholarly journals Principles of structured risk management in rock engineering

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-341
Author(s):  
Johan Spross
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Observational Method ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Engineering Structures ◽  
Rock Engineering ◽  
Ground Conditions ◽  
Iso 31000 ◽  
Main Message ◽  
Engineering Projects

This article, based on a keynote lecture given at the Finnish Rock Mechanics Day 2019, discusses how structured risk management can be implemented to rock engineering projects. The suggested procedure is based on ISO 31000 and a recently published methodology for practical implementation of the standard to geotechnical engineering projects. The main message is that structured risk management is a key tool to achieve high-quality rock engineering structures. A key component for many projects will be the use of the observational method to cost-effectively reduce the lack of knowledge of the ground conditions during construction of the facility.

scholarly journals The Survival Spectrum: The Key to Transition Engineering of Complex Systems

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Krumdieck
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Time Scale ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Complex Relationship ◽  
Safety Engineering ◽  
The Past ◽  
Time Space ◽  
Engineering Projects ◽  
Field Transition ◽  
Social And Environmental Impacts

This paper puts forward a simple idea describing the time, space and relationship scales of survival. The proposed survival spectrum concept represents a new way to think about sustainability that has clear implications for influencing engineering projects in all fields. The argument for the survival spectrum is developed sequentially, building on theory, definition, examples and history. The key idea is that sustainability can be effectively addressed by emergence of a new field, Transition Engineering. This is a parallel of safety engineering but with longer time scale, broader space scale, and more complex relationship scale. The past 100-year development of safety engineering is examined as a model for development of sustainability risk management and mitigation. The conclusion is that the new field, Transition Engineering, will emerge as the way our society will realize reduction in fossil fuel use and reduction in the detrimental social and environmental impacts of industrialization.

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