Page 55 - RCM - A practical Guide_V1

RCM - A Practical Guide

By conducting staged audits errors are identified early and corrections are easier to implement.
However, this requires close management and more resources and in reality too many audits can
become restrictive in time and resource. Because of this a fine balance, tailored to the project being
completed, is necessary.
Auditors
To be completely neutral process auditors should not have been involved in the analysis of the system
presented for audit. This way it is possible to ensure complete independence. The auditors should also
be highly trained and experienced in RCM.
Technical auditors on the other hand, should be experienced and familiar with the equipment being
analysed. Personnel performing this role are often associated with the engineering organisation
responsible for the equipment or someone from the manufacturer’s technical department.
Regardless of the type of audit being performed auditors should be authorised by the organisation
responsible for the analysis.

Audit guidance notes
Figure 14 - Guide to RCM Process Audit parameters, provides guidance for the type of checks required
to fulfil an RCM process audit.

Aircraft and equipment Is there one?
operating context
Does it contain all information contained within the RCM
methodology adopted?
Significant item selection Is the level of functional partitioning suitable for the
application of RCM?
Have all assets been recorded and uniquely identified?
Analysis level operating Is there one? Are all operating modes recorded?
context
Does it contain all information contained within the RCM
methodology adopted?
Functions Do the functions align with the analysis level operating
context?
Are secondary functions listed?
Are performance parameters correctly identified?
Functional failures Are Functional failures properly worded?
Have partial failures and complete failures been considered?
Failure modes Is each failure mode properly constructed, i.e. not an effect?
Local effects Do these describe the immediate effect of the failure mode?
Next higher level effects Do these properly describe what happens at a system level?

55
© ASPIRE CONSULTING LTD +44 (0) 1827 723820