RAM Guide: Chapter 3 - Understand and Document User Needs and Constraints

and non-repairable units require different statistical models and methods of analysis. However,
in all cases, reliability should be defined with respect to a well-defined mission and conditions of
use. Reliability is a function of the environment and the stresses it places on a system. The
conditions of use include, but are not limited to, the environment of operation (such things as
temperature, season of the year, operating time, dust, vibration, acoustic environment,
geographic location), maintenance as specified, and operation within the design specifications.
(If users consistently operate a system outside the design specifications (e.g., higher than
designed for speeds), often this operation will lead to reliability problems when the system is in
use.) An operational perspective must be present as early as possible in the design reviews. A
reliability specification requires a description of what constitutes mission success or failure for
the equipment when it is operational. Table 3-1 identifies several popular reliability metrics.

TABLE 3-1: Reliability Parameters

Parameter Description
Failure Rate (X) The total number of failures within an item population, divided by the total time
expended by that population, during a particular measurement interval under stated
conditions.
Hazard Rate Instantaneous failure rate. At any point in the life of an item, the incremental
change in the number of failures per associated incremental change in time.
Mean Time Between Failure A basic measure of reliability for repairable items. The average time during which
(MTBF) all parts of the item perform within their specified limits, during a particular
measurement period under stated conditions. (RAC Toolkit)
Mean Time Between A basic measure of reliability for repairable fielded systems. The average time
Maintenance (MTBM) between all system maintenance actions. Maintenance actions may be for repair or
preventive purposes. (RAC Toolkit)
An alternative definition: The time (i.e. operating hours, flight hours) between the
need for maintenance actions to restore a system to fully operational condition,
including confirmation that no fault exists (a No Defect maintenance action) This
parameter provides the frequency of the need for maintenance and complements the
labor hour parameter to project maintenance workload. This parameter is also used
to identify unscheduled maintenance (MTBUMA) and Scheduled maintenance
(MTBSMA)
Mean Time Between Repair A basic measure of reliability for repairable fielded systems. The average time
(MTBR) between all system maintenance actions requiring removal and replacement or in-
situ repairs of a box or subsystem.
Mean Time Between Critical A measure of system reliability that includes the effects of any fault tolerance that
Failure (MTBCF) may exist. The average time between failures that cause a loss of a system function
defined as "critical" by the customer. (RAC Toolkit)
Mean Time Between A measure of operational mission reliability for the system. The average time
Operational Mission Failure between operational mission failures which cause a loss of the system's "mission"
(MTBOMF) as defined by the customer. This parameter may include both hardware and
software "failures."
Mean Time To Failure A basic measure of reliability for nonrepairable systems. Average failure free
(MTTF) operating time, during a particular measurement period under stated conditions.

There may in fact be several different ways to view the reliability of a system depending on its
function and complexity. One perspective focuses on the probability that no failure will occur
during a mission that would prevent the system from successfully completing its operational
mission (i.e., MTBOMF), while other perspectives focus on failures that require maintenance
(i.e., MTBR). The first case emphasizes mission capability, and the latter illustrates operational
support. Both measures are important and both are a direct result of how the system and its

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