Digitalization is key to preventing rare, high‑impact “black swan” incidents that can severely disrupt operations. These events are unpredictable and often only seem obvious in hindsight. A notable example occurred in 2011 at a refinery in Wales, where maintenance work on an aging asset—originally built in 1963 and modified repeatedly over decades—contributed to a catastrophic failure. Such incidents highlight how complex systems, legacy equipment and fragmented information can hide critical risks. By adopting digital tools that provide real‑time visibility, strengthen asset understanding and improve risk management, organizations can reduce uncertainty, enhance operational safety and keep black swan events at bay.

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