| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to the USA visa website crashing due to a system update has happened before within the same organization. The incident occurred after officials decided to 'modernize' the website, causing travelers to be unable to process their applications [91793].
(b) The software failure incident related to the USA visa website crashing due to a system update has also affected multiple organizations or individuals. For example, Rebecca Downes and her husband were turned away at the airport due to their ESTA not coming through in time, resulting in wasted money on non-refundable flights and accommodation [91793]. Additionally, other travelers like Will Hall and Jess Lipson also faced issues with their flights and had to pay extra fees due to the website crash [91793]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident in the article was primarily due to the system update that was intended to modernize the USA visa website. The update was aimed at allowing travelers to save their applications halfway through and to include Poland in the scheme. However, after the update, the website crashed, leaving travelers unable to process their ESTA applications, resulting in missed flights and significant inconvenience for many passengers [91793].
(b) The software failure incident also had operational implications as travelers were unable to complete their ESTA applications due to the crash of the website. This operational failure led to individuals missing their flights, incurring financial losses, and experiencing emotional distress. The inability to operate the system effectively, especially during a critical time when travelers needed to process their applications, resulted in significant disruptions for the affected passengers [91793]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident related to the USA visa website crashing was primarily due to an internal factor, specifically a system update that was intended to modernize the website [91793]. The update introduced new features but led to issues where some ESTA applicants were unable to receive the necessary verification code, causing disruptions in the application process. The failure originated from within the system as a result of the update, impacting travelers' ability to process their applications and leading to missed flights for some individuals. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident occurred due to non-human actions, specifically a system update that led to the crash of the USA visa website. The update was intended to modernize the website, allowing travelers to save their applications halfway through and enabling Poles to apply after Poland was included in the scheme. The crash resulted in travelers being unable to process their applications, leading to missed flights and significant inconvenience for many individuals [91793].
(b) The software failure incident also involved human actions as officials decided to implement the system update that ultimately led to the crash of the USA visa website. The decision to 'modernize' the website without proper testing or contingency planning resulted in travelers facing issues with their ESTA applications, causing missed flights and financial losses for individuals like Beverley Coult, Rebecca Downes, and others [91793]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
software |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to hardware:
- The incident reported in the articles does not mention any hardware-related issues contributing to the software failure. It primarily focuses on the crash of the USA visa website after a system update, which was attributed to software issues like the inability to process applications, error messages, and website maintenance [Article 91793].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to software:
- The software failure incident, in this case, was primarily due to contributing factors originating in software. The crash of the USA visa website was a result of officials deciding to 'modernize' the website, which led to issues such as the inability to process applications, error messages, and ongoing website maintenance causing travelers to miss flights [Article 91793]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
non-malicious |
(a) The software failure incident in this case was non-malicious. The failure occurred due to a system update intended to modernize the USA visa website, which led to the website crashing and causing issues for travelers trying to process their ESTA applications [91793]. The update was aimed at improving user experience by allowing travelers to save their applications halfway through and enabling Poles to apply after Poland was included in the scheme. However, the unintended consequence of the update was the website crashing, preventing travelers from completing their applications on time. The failure was not caused by any malicious intent but rather by the impact of the system update on the functionality of the website. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions |
(a) The intent of the software failure incident was due to poor decisions made by officials to 'modernise' the USA visa website. The update was intended to allow travellers to save their applications halfway through and to allow Poles to apply after Poland was included in the scheme. However, this update led to the website crashing, leaving travellers unable to process their applications, resulting in missed flights and significant inconvenience for many travelers [91793]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence, accidental |
(a) The software failure incident occurred due to development incompetence. The USA visa website crashed after officials decided to 'modernise' the website, which led to IT problems and travelers being unable to process their applications [Article 91793]. The update was intended to allow travelers to save their applications halfway through and to allow Poles to apply after Poland was included in the scheme. However, the update resulted in crashes and errors on the website, causing significant inconvenience to travelers, some of whom missed their flights as a result.
(b) The software failure incident can also be attributed to accidental factors. The update introduced on the USA visa website was intended to improve user experience by allowing travelers to save their applications halfway through and to accommodate applicants from newly included countries like Poland [Article 91793]. However, the unintended consequence of this update was the crashing of the website, leading to errors and preventing travelers from processing their applications in a timely manner. This accidental outcome resulted in missed flights, financial losses, and emotional distress for affected individuals. |
| Duration |
temporary |
(a) The software failure incident in this case was temporary. The USA visa website crashed after a system update intended to modernize the website, causing travelers to be unable to process their ESTA applications. The issue arose after the update, and travelers were met with error messages and were unable to complete their applications in time, leading to missed flights and disruptions in travel plans. The incident was eventually addressed by US Customs and Border Protection, restoring functionality to the ESTA website [Article 91793]. |
| Behaviour |
crash, omission, timing, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident in this case was a crash. The USA visa website crashed after officials decided to 'modernise' the website, leaving travellers unable to process their applications. Passengers were stopped from boarding flights to the United States due to the crash [Article 91793].
(b) omission: The software failure incident also involved omission. Passengers missed flights because the ESTA didn't come through in time, leading to wasted money on non-refundable flights and accommodation. The failure to process the ESTA applications in a timely manner resulted in omission of the system's intended function [Article 91793].
(c) timing: The timing of the software failure incident was also a significant factor. Passengers were unable to get their ESTA in time, causing them to miss their flights. The system was performing its intended functions but at the wrong time, leading to missed opportunities for travellers [Article 91793].
(d) value: There is no specific mention of the software failure incident being related to the system performing its intended functions incorrectly (value).
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident did not exhibit behavior related to the system behaving erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions (byzantine).
(f) other: The other behavior observed in this software failure incident was frustration and inconvenience caused to travellers due to the crash. Passengers faced challenges in renewing their ESTA, missed flights, wasted money on non-refundable bookings, and had to rebook their travel plans, leading to emotional distress and financial losses [Article 91793]. |