How it works
Engineering decisions distribute benefit and harm unevenly, and the reasoning is what is assessed rather than the conclusion.
State who benefits, who bears the cost, and what alternative was available.
Common error
Answering with a general position instead of an argument about the specific system in the question.
Worked example
Example
Proposal: automate student recommendations
Benefit: quicker suggestions
Risks: mistaken records, unequal outcomes
Needed: explanations, review, and correctionResponsible decisions weigh a concrete benefit against plausible harms and practical controls. Assign ownership, explain limits, and create a correction path rather than treating automation as a transfer of responsibility.
Exercises
9.4.1 · Explain
What should happen when a student challenges a recommendation based on an incorrect record?
Show solution
Provide an accountable review process, correct the underlying record when appropriate, and reassess the recommendation using the corrected information.
9.4.2 · Explain
Name one trade-off when retaining detailed logs for troubleshooting.
Show solution
Logs can improve diagnosis and accountability but may expose personal information or secrets. Limit their content, access, and retention to the justified purpose.