Fault Tree Analysis

Fault tree analysis identifies causes of a major undesirable event (fault) in a system. Adapted from engineering, it is a technique frequently used in needs assessment. Not passing a certification examination is an example of an undesirable event that would be placed at the top of a tree. Key factors possibly causing that event would be situated under the top, followed by subfactors causing the key factors, and so forth, thus forming a tree-like figure. Key factors could be grouped into those under the control of the system and those not. Failure pathways can be ascertained through quantitative and qualitative procedures.

James W.Altschuld
10.4135/9781412950558.n208

Further Reading

Witkin, B. R., & Stephens, K. G.(1973)Fault tree analysis: A management science technique for educational planning and evaluation. Hayward, CA: Office of the ...
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