Reliability Growth Program Plans for Multiple Test Phases
Although traditional reliability growth analysis models consider the data from a single phase of developmental testing, a reliability growth program often will be conducted across multiple phases. RGA now offers an array of new analysis and management tools based on the Crow Extended and Crow Extended - Continuous Evaluation models, which provide the appropriate calculations for reliability growth program planning and multi-phase data analysis.
Growth Planning Folio
The Growth Planning Folio allows you to define the amount of time planned for each phase in the testing program, the average fix delay and other settings that describe the planned reliability growth management strategy. You can use this tool to make estimates about whether you will be able to achieve your MTBF goal with a given management strategy or to determine what strategy will be necessary to meet the established goal. Some of the factors that can be considered include:
- Planned test time for each phase
- Average fix delay
- The MTBF for the design when testing begins
- The MTBF goal for the end of the testing program
- A design margin to indicate the amount by which the stated "Goal MTBF" exceeds the actual MTBF that must be demonstrated by the end of the program
- Average effectiveness factor for corrective actions
- Percentage of the discovered failure modes that management plans to correct
- The rate at which you expect to discover new failure modes
Multi-Phase Data Sheets and Crow Extended-Continuous Evaluation Model
Multi-Phase Data Sheets make it possible for you to enter data from multiple phases of testing, using "Event Codes" to specify the end time for each phase, the specific test times when fixes were implemented and other details that can be considered by the Crow Extended - Continuous Evaluation model. This provides an analysis that is more representative of the real-world behavior of the units under test.
Multi-Phase Plot
You can use the Multi-Phase Plot to link the reliability growth program plan with your test data in order to track the progress and determine whether you will need to make adjustments in the remaining test phases in order to meet your MTBF goal.
