The Fixes That Fail structure consists of a balancing loop and a reinforcing loop. These two loops interact in such a way that the desired result initially produced by the balancing loop is, after some delay, offset by the actions of the reinforcing loop.

The internal balancing loop operates in the standard balancing loop fashion. The Action that influences the migration of the Current State also influences, after some delay, some Unintended Consequences. These Unintended Consequences subsequently impede the migration of the Current State in the intended direction.