AIRCRAFT ACQUISITION AND OPERATION IN A TOTAL QUALITY ENVIRONMENT Part II: Process Modeling and Improvement

Abstract

In part I of this work, a conceptual framework and approach for handling the problem of aircraft acquisition and operation in a total quality environment was presented. Decisions related to aircraft acquisition or operation are usually based on predicting the expected performance of Aircraft Mission Support Process (AMSP). The objective of part II is to present the modeling approach and improvement procedure of this process. The model is developed such that it can provide sampling experiments required for the application of Statistical Process Control (SPC) and process capability measures. A process capability index is used to measure the capability of the process in providing the system user with the required level of performance. Aircraft operational availability is taken as the process external performance indicator (or quality characteristic). A simple analytical model is investigated to determine its adequacy for the intended statistical analysis. Simulation is adopted as the preferred approach to model the process. Different acquisition options for improvement are evaluated by changing the design, support, and/or operational characteristics of the acquired system. For each option it is possible to determine the benefit and the worth of the change. Results of application of this approach show its power in predicting the process future performance. The suggested model could also provide an interfacing mechanism between aircraft users and suppliers in support of their mutual decision making during aircraft acquisition or operation.