Developed at Brigham Young University, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is a technique for enhancing the probability of success in any system by analyzing the most likely modes of failure that could occur. It provides a logical, step-by-step description of possible failure events within a system and their interaction--the combinations of potential occurrences which could result in a predetermined undesired event. The analysis for a fault tree begins with a precise statement about an undesired event of critical importance in a decision making process. This statement stands at the top of the tree, and the analysis proceeds downward. Contributing failure events are then interrelated by means of "logic gates" (e.g., AND and OR) to illustrate the cause and effect relationship which results in the undesired event. (A description of the FTA approach and its applications is included.) (RB)