A Data Based Approach to In-Service Engineering Problem Solving

Abstract

In-service engineering agents (ISEAs) are responsible for developing solutions to engineering problems that prevent Fleet equipment from delivering designed performance and reliability levels. In these times of shrinking budgets, engineers must identify the most severe problems and then apply the most cost effective solutions. This paper addresses the need for applying the total quality management (TQM) philosophy of fact based decision making to in-service engineering. The paper demonstrates the use of a systematic, data-based approach to problem identification and resolution. The problem solving process presented is designed for team use, guiding them through a step-by-step effort for identifying root causes of problems and developing effective countermeasures for solving those problems. Currently available Navy logistics data on failures and parts usage is used in the analysis. The thorough analysis insures that the true root causes of problems are identified so that the greatest benefit can be derived from improvement investments. An example process is demonstrated and explained. The example shows the use of the problem solving process to identify causes and proposed countermeasure for low operational availability of Fleet high pressure air compressors.