| Example | Baking a cake from a box | Sending a rocket to the moon | Raising a child |
| Process | Recipes are essential | Formulae are critical and necessary for success | Formulae and recommendations are useful but limited in application |
| Expertise required | No particular expertise required but previous experience can improve success | High levels of expertise and specialised coordination of resources are necessary | Expertise can contribute but is not necessary nor sufficient to ensure success |
| Uniqueness of the outcome | A good recipe should produce the same outcome each time | Following formulae should ensure similar outcomes | Each outcome is unique |
| Expected outcomes | Expect the same result each time | High degree of certainty of outcome if formulae are followed correctly | Outcome is uncertain and cannot be reliably predicted beforehand |