Final answer:
The primary causes of the failure of New Orleans HPS are mainly related to issues with the design of the system and its management, rather than an inability to predict weather.
Step-by-step explanation:
The proper assessment of the causes behind the failure of New Orleans Hurricane Protection System (HPS) involves understanding several aspects such as design issues, management strategies, and the ability to predict weather patterns. When it comes to New Orleans HPS, the failure can be attributed to a combination of factors that include Failure to design and Failure to manage. These two causes were critical, as improper design could not withstand the actual stressors, and poor management led to inadequate responses during a disaster.
Failure to predict weather, while impactful in other scenarios like unexpected storms in South Texas, was not the primary cause for the failure of the New Orleans HPS. The accurate prediction of weather plays a crucial role in preparations for potential disasters, yet the infrastructure must first be soundly designed and effectively managed to cope with predicted events.