Reliability, Maintainability and Risk, 8th Edition

Chapter 11. Design and Assurance Techniques

This chapter outlines the activities and techniques, in design and operation, that are used to optimize reliability.

11.1. Specifying and Allocating the Requirement

The main objective of a reliability and maintainability program is to ensure adequate performance consistent with minimal maintenance costs. This can be achieved only if, in the first place, objectives are set and then described by suitable parameters. The intended use and environment of a system must be accurately stated in order to set realistic objectives and, in the case of contract design, the customer requirements must be clearly stated. It may well be that the customer has not considered these points and guidance may be necessary in ...