Phased mission analysis using the cause–consequence diagram method

Most reliability analysis techniques and tools assume that a system used for a mission consists of a single phase. However, multiple phases are natural in many missions. A system that can be modelled as a mission consisting of a sequence of phases is called a phased mission system. In this case, for successful completion of each phase the system may have to meet different requirements. System failure during any phase will result in mission failure. Fault tree analysis, binary decision diagrams and Markov techniques have been used to model phased missions. The cause–consequence diagram method is an alternative technique capable of modelling all system outcomes (success and failure) in one logic diagram. [Continues.]