Systems Failure Analysis

Systems Failure Analysis gives your product teams the tools and concepts to get at the root causes of defects and failures in complex manufacturing and engineered systems.. The techniques described can be applied to assessing and preventing a "show stopper" failure that brings an organization to a halt as well as to finding and correcting root causes of unacceptable variations in a system. The methods described in Systems Failure Analysis can help you identify and evaluate all potential failure causes and avoid just jumping to conclusions about the perceived obvious ones. Quantifying the "hidden factory" of process variations also can help prevent failures and improve productivity and yields by reducing scrap or rework.

The techniques in Systems Failure Analysis focus on a team approach, and it is written as a practical reference for all members of your product or failure analysis team including:EngineeringQuality assuranceManufacturing techniciansPurchasing personnelField service personnelOperators or other usersIn both development and failure analysis, identifying all potential causes of failure can save valuable time. Several proven methods are discussed, including:BrainstormingIshikawa diagramsThe 5-whys approachMind mappingFault tree analysisIn particular, fault tree analysis is covered in detail as the preferred in many cases for its systematic coverage. The book then describes several technologies to objectively evaluate potential causes.

Written for development and manufacturing engineers, inspection specialists, quality assurance personnel, purchasing personnel, and field service engineers, Systems Failure Analysis will help any organization that produces or procures complex systems in the aerospace, defense, automotive, biomedical, electronic, energy, and process industries. The book is based on a course for organizations producing or procuring complex, high-technology systems.