SYSTEM RELIABILITY METHODS FOR ANALYSIS OF PROCESS MODELS

Process modeling methodologies have become widely used in defining and analysis of manufacturing systems. Two specific types of models, func tional analysis and process flow descriptions, are frequently discusse d in the literature. However, most published work presents the basic c oncepts, industrial applications, and critiques of various methodologi es. One drawback often cited is that, beyond preliminary ad hoc analys is, process models are seldom used. Furthermore, the lack of quantitat ive information in models prevents more detailed and interesting analy sis. This paper adapts traditional system reliability methods to manuf acturing and design process modeling. The logical relationships betwee n activities in the process are used to quantify the overall reliabili ty of the system and identify high-risk paths of decisions in the proc ess. The concepts of path sets and cutsets are then used to identify c ritical activities and decision points. The analysis is illustrated wi th an industrial case study. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.