§P415 Reading Assignment

A. Reading

Read the GAO report Patriot Missile Defense: Software Problem Led to System Failure at Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Be prepared to discuss this report in class.

P515 students. You may be asked to make a five-to-ten minute classroom presentation explaining the reading and lead a discussion. If asked, you are expected to make a cogent, concise presentation (not a casual extemporaneous narrative) so I recommend that you prepare a few notes.

You should assume that the class has done the reading, so it is not necessary to review the incident. Focus on causes, starting with the most immediate cause of failure.