FehlerMachbarkeitsstudien

FehlerMachbark is a term used in design theory and software engineering to describe a system, process, or methodology that deliberately emphasizes the visibility and management of errors. The central aim is to surface failure modes early, enabling rapid learning, improved observability, and more robust behavior under stress.

The term is a neologism, and its etymology is not standardized. It combines the German word Fehler (error) with a suffix intended to convey capability or tractability, reflecting the idea that errors are an expected and manageable part of the design.

Core characteristics include intentional error generation through fault injection or controlled perturbations, comprehensive telemetry and logging, well-defined recovery paths, and post-incident analysis that informs design changes. Systems employing FehlerMachbark emphasize graceful degradation and clear remediation options for users, rather than abrupt failure.

Applications range from software testing and education to simulations of critical infrastructure and game design. By exposing failures in controlled environments, teams can evaluate fault tolerance, monitor observability, and practice rapid rollback or patch delivery. The approach is frequently discussed in relation to resilience engineering and the development of robust, user-centered interfaces.

Criticism notes potential risks if applied irresponsibly, such as user disruption or brittle interfaces generated by overexposure to faults. Proponents argue for governance, safety boundaries, and alignment with broader resilience goals to minimize harm while preserving learning opportunities.

See also fault tolerance, chaos engineering, resilience engineering, observability, and postmortem culture.