Citation

Court ET. Reliab. Eng. 1981; 2(4): 243-258.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0143-8174(81)90001-9

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The requirement of a high level of reliability and safety is not generally achieved by imposing the requirement in a specification. Experience indicates that it is more likely to be obtained if specific disciplines are deliberately introduced and actively pursued throughout the system life cycle. These disciplines must be planned and integrated into all phases from the beginning. To be effective they must be willingly accepted as essential and worthwhile activities from top management to the shop floor.

The systematic and disciplined procedures described in this paper rely upon the development and operation of an integrated data system which, in conjunction with a series of standard documents, provide management with a means of review and audit at any time, at any level of detail. They will not produce instant results, but if patiently applied over a number of years will produce an improvement in reliability standards at a lower cost and hence with a greater effectiveness.

Operating these procedures will assist the design, production, service and maintenance authorities to plan, control, and thus ensure the requirement is met. At the same time they will provide evidence to the customer and his assurance agent that it is being met with acceptable risks.