This paper examines the development of one particular failure, based upon a detailed data set collected as part of the Selborne has been conducted on the movement record as recorded by inclinometers located within the landslide mass. The manner in which the failure developed and propagated through the landslide mass is described using the velocity – time method of Petley et al. (2002). From this analysis, some general conclusions may be drawn about the development of failure in landslide systems, and insight has been obtained into the optimal monitoring approaches for the prediction of the time of failure of landslides.