Systems architecture in failure analysis (Applications of architecture modeling to system failure analysis)

This paper describes research into the applicability and value of architecture modeling techniques in conducting failure analysis on a system that is currently in service. Many Systems of Systems (SoS) currently in service did not include architecture modeling in their design and integration phases. In the absence of architectural models, knowledge of critical items, interfaces, and interactions, is difficult to learn, communicate, and maintain. Failure analysis, particularly for SoS, requires comprehensive system knowledge to produce accurate and timely results. This paper contributes specifically by summarizing existing model-based failure analysis research in terms of applicability to in-service systems and by focusing on Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and Failure Modes Effects Analysis (FMEA). Much of the existing research in this area is either specific to design or development phases of system lifecycle, or presupposes that architectural models exist, and does not approach the topic from the perspective of value and practicality to an in-service system. Firstly, a general analysis of the commonality of principles, methods, and resources used for failure analysis with those of system architecture modeling is presented. The second contribution is a review of system and SoS modeling techniques and current research as applied to these failure analysis methods. The paper concludes with a summary of model applicability to FTA and FMEA, and a brief analysis of the studied methods, which will guide future research and evaluation of architecture modeling-based methods for failure analysis.