What characterizes a procedural error?

• A. Absence of knowledge
• B. Correct intention, flawed execution
• C. Intentional violation of rules
• D. Miscommunication between team members

Answer: (B)

A procedural error is characterized by having the correct intentions behind an action but executing the process incorrectly. This often occurs when an individual understands the rules or procedures conceptually but lacks the skills or awareness to apply them effectively in practice. For example, a person might know how to follow a protocol for a job but might make an error in the steps or order of operations, leading to a procedural mistake.

This definition distinguishes procedural errors from other types of errors, such as miscommunication, which involves misunderstanding or sharing incorrect information among team members, and intentional violations, which suggest a deliberate choice to break rules. An absence of knowledge implies a lack of understanding that would lead to errors, but procedural errors can occur even with the right intention when it comes to execution.