The application of engineering and management principles, criteria, and techniques to optimize safety within the constraints of operational effectiveness, time, and cost throughout all phases of the system life cycle (DODI 5000. 36) (AFR 800-16); an approach to accident prevention which involves the detection of deficiencies in system components which have an accident potential (ASSE); as defined in NHB 5300. 4(1D-2),  The optimum degree of risk management within the constraints of operational effectiveness, time and cost attained through the application of management and engineering principles throughout all phases of a program (NSTS 22254); safety analysis (usually specialized and sophisticated) applied as an adjunct to design of an engineered system. While many associate system safety primarily with the hardware portion of the system, it includes all aspects of configuration control