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ESS Implementation

To have an effective ESS program management must be committed to provide the time and resources needed to adequately support it. The roles of all participants must be clearly defined. Daily meetings are usually required when first implementing an ESS program, as the process of moving from paper concepts to physical tests can be daunting. It is not uncommon to revise ESS plans due to implementation issues.

A FRACAS forms the backbone of an effective ESS program. It provides the data needed to identify, track and resolve deficiencies. In addition to failures of the equipment under test, failures of the test equipment, environmental equipment and test software should be included in the FRACAS. At the heart of any FRACAS is a database used for data retention, analysis, and reporting.

The type and timeliness of data entered into the database needs to be closely managed. As a minimum, the following data should be captured upon failure:
  • Location of failure
  • Test being performed
  • Date and time
  • Part number and serial number
  • Failure symptoms
  • Circumstances of interest
  • Individual who observed failure
Upon completion of the ensuing failure analysis, the following additional data should be captured:
  • Failure root cause
  • Corrective action taken
  • Date and serial number of corrective action cut-in
Ideally, the failure data should be captured in real-time. As a minimum, data should be captured at the end of each production shift to ensure those pertinent details of the failure are not forgotten. To facilitate quick data entry the FRACAS database must be user-friendly and available to all that will be involved with testing conducted during ESS.

The FRACAS database should also have an easy to use reporting capability. Reports from the database will be the primary source of insight into an ESS program. Timely, detailed reports will indicate the effectiveness of the current program, provide a means to evaluate refinements in the program, and keep management satisfied that the ESS program is working.