Failure analysis

Failure analysis is a very systematic way of investigating and understanding why a system has failed in the engineering discipline particularly when software is being developed to serve a particular purpose but fails to do so. The overall aim of this work is to determine the causes of failure of development. This is done by the engineers through checking through and other methods of putting into effect the measures that have been arranged for, with the aims of identifying the cause of the failure and to prevent its occurrence in the future.

In practice, however, this analysis is important in any case when a system reaches a critical failure point, for instance, software failure. This includes assessment of information needs, examination of data, and alteration that needs to be done to enhance on security, reliability and performance of the system. In other words, what is required here is a shift in attitude as to what failure is and what it means.

Approach to analyzing failures in software development

As with any other system, failure analysis in software development also has a well-defined approach though there is no one way of doing it. The process usually starts with data gathering in which specialists with a clear understanding of the failure are called in to establish the facts and collect information that might be useful.

The second phase requires more analysis and more testing in order to ascertain the cause of the failure in the structure of the system, the conditions of the environment and the stress under which the system was working.

After identifying the root cause, the concentration is then on how can this information be linked with the enhancement possibilities. This may involve the development of further actions to the present system, the development of strategies that may prevent or reduce the occurrence of the issue, and the enhancement of control and tests. Finally a better solution is suggested so that such failure could be averted and the system could be more dependable.