  degrees of dependency vulnerability
The characterization of vulnerability [of the depender] is based on the extend to which the workability of n [the dependum] would affect the workability of the routine in which n [the dependum] is supposed to serve.(p29)
» See also: dependency strength
 part of a routine fails
A dependency is open [from the depender side] if the dependum disables only part of a routine, i.e., the dependum being unworkable would make some part of that routine unworkable.(p29)
a whole routine fails
We say that a depender depends on n [the dependum] to the committed level if the routine becomes unworkable if n [the dependum] is unworkable.(p29)
all routines for some purpose fail
A much stronger dependency results if a dependum can have a disabling effect on all routines that the agent has for achieving some purpose. We call this a critical dependency.(p29)
For all of the x's [the dependers] routines which have n' [the dependers internal element] as an end, an unworkable n [the dependum] would lead to n' [the dependers internal element that is the end to be achieved] being unworkable, given the agent's set of means-ends rules Hx. In other words x [the depender] has no other way of making n' [the internal end] workable.(p29)
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