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Track 2 Session 4
2:20 to 3:20 p.m. Wednesday March 26, 2008
Successful Reliability Growth Using
the FRACAS Process
Customer requirements in
the railway industry often include a short delivery time combined
with a desired stable performance of the vehicle from day one,
because the passenger operation shall start immediately. However,
looking in the past, most train projects include an unplanned
reliability growth period of a few months up to a few years.
Bombardier Transportation uses RAM/LCC (Reliability, Availability,
Maintainability/Life Cycle Cost) and FRACAS (Failure Reporting,
Analysis and Corrective Action System) processes to achieve reliable
trains. This presentation includes experiences from using RAM/LCC
and FRACAS processes and tools.
The case study, which involves a
product that was not fulfilling the reliability requirements after
some years in operation, exemplifies how the FRACAS process is used
in practice to systematically improve product reliability and
finally to comply with reliability targets. Lessons learned include
topics such as customer trust and satisfaction, project teamwork,
data collection and management, reliability growth forecasts,
modification planning and feedback of lessons learned to the next
project. The issues discussed had a significant impact on the
project, which finally lead to success and customer satisfaction.
Key Words: Reliability
Growth, FRACAS, Product Improvement
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