Maintenance Awareness in Design - Essay Example

How Designers Learn from Failures? Why Systems Fail? Purpose: The aim of this paper is to show and make clear for readers that why various projects and systems fail? What are the main reasons behind any failure and how these can be controlled to minimize the risk of malfunctioning and crash of any system? Methodology: This paper involves theoretical framework plus a case study to make the readers clear about the failures in design especially in those areas where earthquake activities frequently take place. In this paper it is explained that what is required to overcome various issues of failures in designing. Findings: The findings of this paper indicates that systems always fail due to miss management and poor planning on the part of managers, companies and all individuals involved in any specific project. Moreover, it further indicates that designers can learn from various failures and they can minimize the risk factors by taking several measures. Value: This paper will definitely contribute a lot in understanding the reasons of system failures and the procedures to handle such issues. Keywords: System failures, large projects, complex systems, objectives System failure, basically, stands for any situation when a system stops working and fails to achieve desired objectives. It further lacks in smooth functioning of an overall system which is very much required for any successful design and project. 1. Details Reasons of System Failures: Nowadays, it is common trend that people prefer to use new systems and advanced technology rather than old ones. They feel themselves more compatible with latest technology just because of demand and trend. Projects are usually driven just to replace the old trends and architecture. Old systems are extensively replaced with new ones having new technology. However, it is very essential to understand that there are several important aspects and stages involved in any good design. All of these stages should be accessed if you want a successful design. It is not wise option to go just for modern and trendy designs. Essential stages should be kept in mind. These generally include, Planning stage Specification stage Design stage Implementation stage If we look at technical side of the modern projects, we will observe that nowadays projects are built with a goal of offering multiple functions that was not possible in recent past. Currently, systems become the integration of various sub systems. Some additional constraints are also getting involved day by day with changing needs and demands of various people. Now people are more concerned about reliability and security systems offer within a design. Nowadays, we can also observe that the success rate is continuously decreasing and most of the large projects of engineering are less satisfactory. Many of the projects are getting failed and end up in failures and great risks. However, it is also a fact that people are putting into practice huge investments that was not a common trend in recent past. Essentials of a Good Design: All the above mentioned stages are related and dependent one after the other. A successful project always requires a careful handling and sequence of these stages in a proper way. Moreover, only those projects fail or come close to risks and failures in which all the stages are not meet properly and carefully balanced. Planning stage is the first stage and it gives way to specification stage, a design stage and finally the implementation stage. The manager of the project should understand all the above mentioned stages and carefully formulate the rest of the planning of a design project. Managers should clearly know what needs to be done. The success of manager always depends on the tasks that are achieved or not. Large Projects: Currently, large engineering programs are designed according to Manhattan projects and Space program. In this paradigm, there are several assumptions hidden including the use of current and new technology. Moreover, the new technology is not used in isolation but it involves basic principles of designing including the relationship between energy and mass, Newton’s law of gravitation and mechanics. While designing any project according to Manhattan paradigm, it is essential to understand and specify all the objectives clearly to achieve the task successfully. You can easily find and judge several projects that may well indicate the reasons of failures. With the careful analysis of these projects and systems, it may quite convenient for the designers to understand and learn from their failures. Case studies are the best way in this regard. You can easily read and understand various case studies and the reasons behind the failures of various systems. Remember, such sort of failures may result into extreme financial pressures and serious threats to economy. Here I want to mention some of these failures as examples to make it clear that how various systems failures result in huge and massive financial set back for concerning companies and for all those individuals involved in the whole process. (Large Project System Failure: Result of Miss planning and weak infrastructure due to natural disaster) Example of Large Engineering Project Failures: The engineering project of Vehicle Registration Drivers License was a huge project. Many years of hard work involved in this project. It was a project from 1987- 1994 but it was scrapped just because of poor planning. This project resulted in $44 Million loss. Automated Reservations, Ticketing, Fuel delivery, Flight Scheduling, Kitchens and General Administration was another engineering project which was also scrapped. This project resulted in $50M loss for the company associated with its building, maintenance and design. SACSS- California (State Wide Automated Child Support System) also scrapped due to poor planning. This project resulted in $110 Million loss which was a big deal for service providers and designers. Furthermore, another American Airline project was badly failed and resulted in a loss of $125M. This was a project from 1988-1992. Some more engineering projects that were badly failed and resulted in great losses include Advanced Logistic System- Air Force project from 1968-1975, Taurus Share trading system from 1990-1993, IRS Tax Systems Modernization Projects 1989-1997, FAA Advanced Automation System and London Ambulance Service Computer Aided Dispatch System. All of these systems were poorly botched and resulted in grave losses of millions and billions. The final analysis of the failures clearly show that these projects were failed due to poor planning and design on the part of the designers and other service providers. Moreover, all of these projects involved heavy investments on the part of designers. So, these may be a great set back for various companies associated in the building process. Important Tools Indicating the Severity of the Failures: Here I am briefly explaining some of the important tools that are extensively used in designing to indicate the failures at different level. These tools help in learning the design and different failures and assist the designers. Two most often used tools in this regard include the tool indicating Risk Priority Number and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) tool. Risk Priority Number: RPN The importance of Risk Priority Number cannot be denied when we talk about a good and quality product in designing. Basically, this technique is used to analyze the hazards and risks associated with all the potential problems that may identify during a Failure Mode and Effect Analysis. Here I am briefly summarizing the ways in which we can use RPN ratings to understand and evaluate the risks associated with any design. In RPN method, past experiences plus engineering judgments are used to identify each and every problem related to designing. These are used according to three scales of ratings. First of all severity of the problem is judged properly. Basically, this rates the severity of the effect of issue and failure. Then the scale of occurrence comes forward which rates that the failure is occurred and the third rating scale is detection. Detection generally stands that the issue will be detected before handling the final design to the customer. When we talk about rating scales in the failure of any design, we will see that these scales are very important and play a vital role in understanding the seriousness of the failure or issue present within any design. These scales most often range from 1 to 10. The higher number on rating scales shows that the seriousness and risk is greater. This can simply be explained in a way that when you have ten point on rating scale then it would indicates that the risk and the occurrence of failure is extremely higher as compared to point 1. Point 1, usually, indicates that the risk is unlikely to occur. However, it is also important to understand that these rating scales are specifically designed and put forward by analysis team and organizations depending on proper criteria. These scales fit the process and products that are being analyzed. After the assigning of ratings, the Risk Priority Number for each problem is carefully calculated by multiplying all the three scales including severity, occurrence and detection. So, the formula or calculation we finally get is like that, Risk Priority Number= Severity x Occurrence x Detection So, the final calculation or value you get can be easily used to identify the problem within overall analysis. Generally, if the RPN value falls under the category of pre determined range then corrective actions are mostly recommended to overcome the problem and to reduce any further risk of failure. In this process the likelihood of occurrence is reduced with the increase in prior detection of the issue. Moreover, the severity of risk and failure is also reduced. So, it can better say that RPN assessment is issue assessment technique that really works well. Here I am also describing the overall strategy with the help of the illustration to implement RPN in the scheming of a good and well designed project. (An illustration shows how RPN is used effectively in a design) Analytical Hierarchy Process: AHP AHP is considered one of the most suitable technique dealing with complex issues and in making complex decisions. Basically, this technique helps in providing several options of decisions and helps the decision makers to find out the best that suits to their requirements according to the correct understanding of problem and failure. This technique is not so old. It was developed by Thomas L. Saaty in 1970s based on the principles of psychology and mathematics. With the help of Analytical Hierarchy Process you can easily find a rational approach and comprehensive framework for structuring any decision for any specific issue. In this method the team of analyzers studies various elements to evaluate alternative solutions for any problem. This method is extensively used all over the world whether you want to formulate decisions for industry, government, business, education and health care. As far as designing and failures in systems are concerned, you can easily go with this technique. With the help of this method you will understand the problem in details and the reason for various failures. This knowledge will help and assist you in future for proper designing and maintenance of systems and structures. So, here the question arises how the working of AHP is done in an effective manner? This is a hierarchy process in which decisions are decomposed properly according to the problem. Each of the decision is then analyzed in a proper and independent way. It is important to note that the elements of hierarchy can be tangible and intangible. Moreover, they can be roughly estimated as well as carefully measured, poorly or well understood decisions according to the severity and requirement of the issue. So, once the hierarchy for any specific issue is built, the decision maker can evaluate each and every bit systematically. Various elements are compared to one another. Comparison helps to indicate several problems associated with each decision. However, with the help of this process, the decision maker can collect concrete data about all the available elements and their importance and meaning as well. So, the essence of this method is that it all based on human judgment and not just the theoretical framework and underlying information. With the help of proper judgment and analysis you can evaluate the problem and get the best technique to solve them. In this way the risk of failures can be minimized as well. Here it is also important to mention that AHP method is different in a way that it only involves numeric values that can be compared and processed according to the problem and its entire features. This mathematical evaluation structure makes this method different technique than many other decision making processes. Here I am briefly summarizing the strategy of AHP with the help of a diagram. This is a simple illustration about the selection of a car with the help of Analytical Hierarchy Process. This may help you to understand the overall concept used in designing as well. (The best way to show various alternatives through AHP strategy) Case Study Identifying Failures in a Designing Project Terrible Earthquake Disaster in 2005 in Northern Areas of Pakistan Basically case studies are used to understand and analyze various problems and their solution afterward. Due to various systems failures it is very important to know what a designer should do to minimize the risk of any failure. Moreover, it is also important to recognize the structure and function of various elements within a design. Here I am going to explain all this with the help of a case study. Hope it may serve the designers to understand the root cause of any system failure that may further result in heavy losses. Earthquake is considered one of the main causes of any system failure. Due to severe earthquakes many systems have been failed badly which created a great loss and set back for many companies associated and involved in the building process of various systems. Here I want to mention the terrible disaster of 2005 in Pakistan Northern areas where huge destruction took place and all the infrastructure trash down to earth. So, all the costs and future losses in case of any destruction just because of seismic activity strongly suggest that there is a great need for proper planning and consideration while formulating any design. Remember, the planning of a good design not only depends on the prevention of life loss but it should be strong enough to minimize the risks of losses. So the criteria for a design should be balanced keeping in mind the initial cost of building plus the expected losses that might occur from future earthquakes. These expected losses may cause serious structural damages if precautionary measures will not be taken and planned accordingly. So, earthquake resistant buildings and designs are always required to cope with the potential risks of destruction of a system. Special criteria are followed in this regard. So, here in this case study I am going to explain the methodology of a good design and system in which we can reduce the risk of destruction while any seismic activity takes place. It is also important to mention here that safety system failures across the industry have greatly declined since 1993. Safety system failures include any conditions and events that could prevent a system from fulfilling its safety functions. In a good design there are always different factors and objectives involved that must be considered by a designer. Remember, if a designer take into consideration simple and single objective then it is not necessary that he fulfills all his goals and the design proves to be a good deign. Here I am going to explain an example based on hypothesis. Consider you are going to design a building with minimum weight subject to various constraints like displacement, stress, vibration period and buckling then you have to use a design and structure that involves minimum material used for construction purpose. However, it is obvious that the design and system would not be that much dynamic and may not cope with earthquake situations. So, if your objective is to cope with seismic situations then you should be more practical in your approach. The system should be designed in more rational and compromising way. You should have multi objectives to solve various issues and problems regarding construction. Multi objectives help to resolve the conflicting requirements in designing and building process. The above mentioned Analytical Hierarchy Process also helps in such designs. As it is already mentioned that such method involves mathematical calculations which are very essential part of a good and reliable design. Basically, in the formulation of earthquake resistant designs, technical issues should be deeply concerned. Minimum life cycle costs are presented with the help of such techniques. Some renowned designers also analyzed the importance of economical implications and significance of earthquake resistant codes. For designing models in areas where earthquake chances are more, it is important to understand each and every aspect of the design. First of all you should have deep consideration in direct loss estimation. Direct losses generally include the injuries and fatalities associated with an earthquake. Moreover, it also includes the physical damage to a building and construction. Some researchers and theorists relate the fatalities with the extent of physical damage of the building. So, the intensity of the earthquake directly affects the physical damage which further affects the overall rate of fatalities and injuries. Next thing to consider is the indirect loss estimation. It is very important to understand that earthquake not only caused direct and immediate losses but they also cause indirect and secondary impacts on the lives of the people as well as for the whole structure and system. These indirect losses include economic loss that is caused due to the destruction and damage of the structure. The indirect and economical losses also depend on the economy of any particular area. It is also important to identify whether the economy is constrained or unconstrained. Reliability Assessment: It is very important to analyze and model the structure carefully to reduce the risk of damage. It is also important to note the response of various earthquake conditions that are recorded time to time while making any design. In this way you can better understand the reliability of your model. It is also essential to compute according to the response of various statistics. Earthquake ground motion is adopted as an essential input in a design. In this the actual records of earthquakes can be used as well as non stationary samples and records are also used to check the reliability of the design. Different frequencies are adopted according to the requirement of different designs. In the light of socio economic information mentioned above and mathematical models to optimize structural design, I am describing the illustrative application of Model Building. Model Building: Here I am explaining a general approach that is described for 5-storey RC buildings in Los Angeles area. The structure of each model of these buildings consists of parallel frames. Several models of buildings SMRF frames (Special Moment-Resisting Frames) were usually designed according to Uniform Building Code (1997) for proper service level. The ‘seismic base shear coefficients’ ranging from 0.04 to 0.13. However, currently, ‘seismic base shear coefficients’ is equal to 0.08 in UBC. Damage Repair Cost and Loss of Contents: A regression relation between the computed median global damage index and the actual or estimated repair costs was obtained on the basis of reported repair costs for RC buildings damaged by previous earthquakes, together with damage assessment analyses. The regression relation for the normalized repair cost is formulated and expressed in terms of the median global damage index, leading to the following equations for the damage repair cost function Cases of System Failures form 1976-1999: Here I am also presenting different cases of system failures with the help of illustrations from 1976 to 1999. Strategies to Overcome Designing Issues: Nowadays, complexity in engineering projects is continuously increasing. However, it is nothing new. This complexity is rising since recent past. Currently, managers and engineers are getting more and more awareness about various complexities and prefer to develop systematic techniques and strategies that can better address them. These strategies generally include modularity, hierarchy, abstraction and layering. These techniques and strategies are considered very useful but it is also common that at some degree they become ineffective. Modularity is a well recognized strategy dealing with complex engineering projects. This way separates a large system into parts that can be further modified and designed separately. However, it is wrong to assume that the complexity of the system can be reduced by dividing into parts. This breakdown is just for studying each and every bit of the design carefully with great attention. Next the strategy of Abstraction simplifies the specification and description of a system. With the help of abstraction each part of the system can be specified and designed independently. Modulation and abstraction are based on hierarchical and layering methods. This may include the structure of the system as well as other attributes of a system. Importance of Good Management in a Design: Here I also want to explain the effective strategy of management. Management is also very important which involves the coordination of people working within a design or system and the team involved in any building process. Remember, a successful project always requires careful study and specified coordination among all parts. In more complex systems it is always essential to understand the basic issues involved in the behavior of complex systems. The interdependence of various parts is also very important and the functional complexity of various parts and the whole system is also important to measure and realize. There are two theorems that are used and provided as basic understanding of all the underlying problems of complex systems. The first that is used to relate the complexity of engineering system to the complexity of the task is The Law of Requisite Variety. The second theorem states that for all practical objectives and purposes, adequate functional testing of complex system is not a possible task. Key for any Successful Design and System: When we talk about complex systems and failures, we will see that there are two answers in this regard. While dealing with large engineering projects, we can change our objectives. It means that if you want to reduce the risk of failures and minimize complication levels in a design then you should be restricted and limited in your objectives as much as possible. This is the key for any good and successful design. The second answer to any failure is the use of an evolutionary process. In this process many alternative solutions are tried in a systematic way to cope with several designing issues. All this process provides great ways of construction for highly complex entities. End Notes: Dan, M. Frangopol. (1996), Case Studies in optimal Design and Maintenance Planning of Civil Infrastructure Systems, United States of America. Read More