ABSTRACT
Let us restate the core logic of reliability engineering: Failure mechanisms act on parts that cause part failure modes. Part failure modes cause part failure effects that extend to the next higher design configuration, the assembly. Assembly failure effects range from design and functional degraded mode to downing event. Part failure effects extend farther up to the end design configuration-the system-ranging from no effect, design and functional degraded mode, to system downing event. Part failure results in maintenance events, which reduce the availability of the system.
