Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the role and differences related to Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis

Introduction

Qualitative and quantitative analysis provides a comprehensive and robust understanding of the subject matter.

By combining both approaches, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the type, including its functional aspects, user experience, and performance metrics

SofemaOnline (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com looks at evaluating the benefits of implementing a Maintenance Control Centre.

Introduction

A major advantage of cost-benefit analysis lies in forcing people to explicitly and systematically consider the various factors which should influence strategic decisions, using the cost-benefit analysis process we are able to drive more critical thinking around all aspects of the project value.

Note Cost-benefit analysis assumes that a monetary value can be placed on all the costs and benefits of a program, including tangible and intangible returns.

Time Constraints

This is a circular tour where people are time challenged which presents them from fixing the problem which will provide them with additional free time!

Many companies are caught in this catch-22 situation where whilst there are multiple disconnects, Often the organisation does not have enough “trained” people to perform the root cause analysis.

The Fire Brigade

People are often too busy fixing todays problems to address ongoing disconnects. Short term fixes are usually aimed at contributing factors without doing a root cause analysis. (Even if we add more people, with the intention to solve the situation the effort will usually not succeed since without training, additional resources are used ineffectively due to poor planning and scheduling.)

Reality Check

Whilst typically front-line staff may recognize a given problem, senior management often do not appreciate the dynamics of the same issue.

Often when senior management do understand the problem, they are pressured to deliver a quick fix to the situation.

The ability to successfully identify and address the root cause is not a given and like many activities benefits from improved knowledge experience and development of individual competence.

Typically it is only by monitoring over time that we are able to confirm that the mitigation's which have been developed as a result of analysed root cause have done the job. However we can draw a conclusion based on our understanding of the analysis and actions which have taken place to assess if we have confidence in the steps which have been taken.

Any shortfall in expectation could for example cause the finding to be re-opened for additional analysis.

Some of the reasons that the true root cause has been miss identified are considered here :

a) Root Cause Analysis (RCA) based on assumptions rather than on objective evidence. It is essential to ensure that all data is accurately classified and clearly understood in relation to the observed facts.

What do we mean by Root Cause? Often people have a bias to stopping at an event, which itself has enables or causes, however with practice it becomes easier to work through the process and achieve meaningful results.

Let’s take some time to De-Mystifying Root Cause, when we talk about Root Cause we are simply trying to understand why a “something” has happened – what where the fundamental causes and on the journey to discover as many of the contributing factors as we can.

So the focus is on “Why” and “How” a particular event or condition occurred so that we can develop the correct understanding.

Commercial Aircraft are very expensive commodities and aircraft availability is a major consideration, as a result attention paid to aircraft down time during maintenance activities is also of importance.

As a result developing the most effective aircraft schedule is highly relevant. It is very worthwhile to structure the maintenance check so that all individual “task” which together form the maintenance check are carried out in the most effective sequence so that we do not waste either down time or manpower.

An additional feature is that effective production planning has the potential to deliver cost savings, whilst maintenance scheduling is easy to understand as a concept it delivers often difficult to solve problems driven by the complexities of operation. A well-managed production planning process provides for a confidence in the most effective delivery of the Maintenance process.

Critical Path Process are relevant whether we are considering a single task or detailed collection of interrelated activities, ideally taking into account minor, major and non-routine tasks to endeavor at all times to achieve the optimum outcome.