Human-error-prone

Describing a system, process, or task that is likely to result in mistakes or failures due to human involvement. This often applies when the procedure is complex, ambiguous, or requires constant vigilance, making it susceptible to cognitive biases, lapses in attention, or simple oversights. The term emphasizes the potential for fallibility inherent in human actions, highlighting areas where careful design, training, and automation can mitigate risks. These systems often rely on manual input, judgment, or decision-making, thus making human reliability a critical factor for success.

Human-error-prone meaning with examples

• The current air traffic control system, with its complex displays and intense workload, is unfortunately human-error-prone. A momentary lapse in judgment or a misinterpretation of data can have catastrophic consequences, impacting flight safety. Automation and enhanced decision-support tools could significantly reduce the risk of accidents.
• Data entry into the outdated accounting software was painfully human-error-prone. The manual input of numerical values, with no built-in validation checks, led to numerous billing inaccuracies and delayed financial reporting. Upgrading to a modern, automated system would minimize the errors and increase efficiency.
• The complex setup procedure for the new medical device was demonstrably human-error-prone. Many steps involved precise calibration, making incorrect adjustments frequent during training and implementation. This lack of intuitive design and clear instructions necessitated redesign for increased ease of use and better safety protocols.
• During the peak seasons, our manual order fulfillment system becomes dangerously human-error-prone. The increased volume coupled with fatigue of the workers creates higher chances for product mixups, incorrect shipments and lost packages, leading to customer dissatisfaction and loss of revenue.