Talk:System Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability

Scott Jackson comments:

Although the definition of reliability in this article is correct, it is important to point out that reliability does not necessarily have to do with equipment failure as is commonly thought, but rather equipment functionality. As a case in point the 2003 US-Canada blackout was a failure in functionality even though no equipment failed. The blackout was the result of faulty logic in the system that failed to stop the cascading shutdown. In spite of this the US-Canada report cites the failure to comply with Reliability standards. In this report Reliability is defined as:

"The degree of performance of the elements of the bulk electric system that results in electricity being delivered to customers within accepted standards and in the amount desired." (p. 23)

Note that in this definition there is no reference to the failure (or lack of failure) of the components.

The reference is as follows:

US-CANADA POWER SYSTEM OUTAGE TASK FORCE 2004. Final Report on the August 14, 2003 Blackout in the United States and Canada: Causes and Recommendations. Washington-Ottawa.

---dho The definition from ASQ specifically addresses functionality.

(MJW) This article, while quite long and detailed, does not address any software specific aspects for the topic. This feels like a major omission in this article. --- DHO, I agree. Reference and disclaimer added in introduction. Perhaps we need separate article when the SW KA fleshes out.