Safe-to-Fail
Experiments designed so that failure produces learning without catastrophic consequences.
Also known as: Safe to fail experiments, Contained failures, Bounded experiments
Category: Concepts
Tags: failures, experimentation, innovations, risk-management, strategies
Explanation
Safe-to-fail is a design principle for experiments where potential failure produces valuable learning without catastrophic consequences. Originating from Cynefin framework thinking, safe-to-fail experiments are: small enough that failure is survivable, designed to provide clear feedback, and structured for rapid learning. Key characteristics include: bounded investment (failure doesn't break the bank), reversibility (can undo or recover), clear success/failure criteria, and learning extraction mechanisms. Safe-to-fail contrasts with: fail-safe (preventing failure entirely), high-stakes experiments (where failure is catastrophic), and uncontrolled experimentation (learning isn't captured). Designing safe-to-fail involves: identifying the riskiest assumptions, creating minimal tests, establishing clear metrics, and planning for both success and failure outcomes. Organizations use safe-to-fail to: explore complex situations, test innovations, and navigate uncertainty. For knowledge workers, safe-to-fail thinking means: testing ideas with limited investment, designing experiments with bounded downside, and structuring work so that failures are informative rather than destructive.
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