What system of safety analysis uses deductive reasoning?

Fault tree analysis is a systematic, deductive approach used to identify potential causes of system failures, working from the top down. It begins with an undesired event or failure at the top of the tree and deduces possible contributing factors that could lead to that event. By utilizing Boolean logic, it allows safety professionals to analyze the interrelationships between various potential failures and how they might collectively lead to a specific outcome.

This method is particularly effective in complex systems where multiple factors can contribute to a failure, as it helps in understanding how combinations of failures (both single and multiple) may result in undesirable events. Additionally, by emphasizing the relationship and arrangement of events contributing to a failure, fault tree analysis allows for a thorough examination of safety systems, enabling practitioners to develop strategies to mitigate those risks effectively.

The deductive reasoning process underlying fault tree analysis distinguishes it from other safety analysis methods. Many other choices utilize inductive reasoning, focusing on identifying potential failings from known modes of failure or risks rather than starting with a specific undesirable event and working backward to explore contributing factors.