Survey of error propagation in systems

Error-propagation analysis in reliable systems has been studied widely. Unlike classical sensitivity analysis which investigates the range of system performance, the distribution function of system performance studies error-propagation analysis. Thus, error-propagation analysis is essentially a statistical analysis. This paper reviews and classifies current research articles in error propagation. An overview is presented of error propagation applied to various systems and models. A standard analysis procedure is also given. Finally, several conclusions are drawn. It is recommended that: (1) basic research on error propagation be carried out; (2) an efficient (least cost) method be developed to analyze large-size problems; and (3) human error be included in the system modeling. It is our opinion that error-propagation analysis be treated as part of decision-making procedures in system analysis. Error propagation analysis is extremely important for expensive or rare-event systems. This report can benefit those who analyze these systems