Pattern
Failure mechanism map
This note decides where to work on a regulated intervention: on the failure mechanism that limits the outcome and can be changed. It classifies failures and traces each one to a measure, a responsible party and a smallest test, and stops when the mechanism is weak, immaterial or beyond practical control. Locate where a regulated intervention fails, what can be measured, and which party can change the binding condition.
Classify
Separate biological, technical, behavioral, operational, institutional, financial, informational, regulatory, and distributional failures.
Trace
For each mechanism, record the observed failure, precursor, measure, plausible cause, modifiable condition, responsible party, economic consequence, contrary evidence, and smallest test.
Decision
Work on the mechanism that limits the outcome and can be changed. Stop when the proposed mechanism is weak, immaterial, or beyond practical control.