Storytelling as a strategy in managing complex systems: Using antifragility for handling an uncertain future in reliability

The changes currently being experienced by industry demand more flexibility and more interconnections. More interconnections mean more extended domino effects within a network in case of failure. Using the powerful tool of storytelling, this paper aims to highlight the need for a mind-set change in approaching reliability. Firstly, the paper will briefly explain why professionals need new tools and techniques for facing an uncertain future from a reliability perspective. Secondly, an explanation of the increasing importance for embracing disorder will be given, pinpointing the limitations of a deterministic approach and the benefit of a more antifragile method for reliability. Afterwards, the paper introduces the storytelling technique as a tool for breaking the common mind-set on reliability approaches, using a story based on the Dutch railways for underlining the value of antifragility in preparing for unexpected events. Finally, the paper discusses the findings and reflects on future research that would substantiate the benefits in several industrial sectors.