Continuous improvements of complex technical systems aspects of stakeholder requirements and system functions

Abstract: In today's society we are all strongly dependent on correct functions of technical systems. These systems tend to increase in both complexity and criticality, at the same time as they often have a rather long life. During this long life the stakeholders' requirements on the functions of the systems change. In order to maintain a high level of stakeholder satisfaction organisations responsible for the system have to respond to the changes through system development and continuous improvements. When the technical system is both complex and critical it is even more important that the work with continuous improvements is done in a systemic and systematic way. This is because a modification may result in unwanted side effects and a small change in one part of the system may have a major negative impact on many other parts of the system, and also have far reaching decisive consequences. The purpose of this thesis is to explore and describe how an organisation can work with continuous improvements of complex technical system functions in the context of changing stakeholder requirements, in order to increase stakeholder satisfaction with a reduced amount of resources. To fulfil the stated purpose a case study supported by a literature study has been made. The case study focused on a modern combat aircraft, which is considered as a highly complex and safety critical system with stringent requirements on low life cycle cost. The result of the study may be described in two parts. The first part is a theoretical management framework that combines aspects of Quality Management, Requirements Management, and Health Management. The framework describes on a conceptual level how the work with continuous improvements may be enhanced through synergism achieved by the combination. The second part, which is based on both theoretical and empirical findings, is a model intended to support the work with continuous improvements. The model includes a number of combined and adapted methodologies and tools that enable traceability between stakeholder requirements and the critical system functions that should be covered by tools that support Condition Monitoring, Diagnostics, and Prognostics.