PREFERRED
RELIABILITY
PRACTICES
PRACTICE NO. PD-ED-1255
PAGE 1 OF 6
Problem Reporting and
Corrective Action System
KENNEDY
SPACE
CENTER
Practice:
A closed-loop Problem (or Failure) Reporting and Corrective Action System (PRACAS or
FRACAS) is implemented to obtain feedback about the operation of ground support equipment
used for the manned spaceflight program.
Benefits:
The information provided by PRACAS allows areas in possible need of improvement to be
highlighted to engineering for development of a corrective action, if deemed necessary. With this
system in place in the early phases of a program, means are provided for early elimination of the
causes of failures. This contributes to reliability growth and customer satisfaction. The system
also allows trending data to be collected for systems that are in place. Trend analysis may show
areas in need of design or operational changes.
Programs Which Certify Use:
Space Shuttle Program
Center to Contact for More Information:
Kennedy Space Center(KSC)
Implementation Method:
A closed-loop system that collects, analyzes and records failures that occur is developed.
Documented procedures for the analysis of failures to determine their root cause and then the
establishment of effective corrective action are also developed. This aids in the prevention of
future reoccurrences by elimination of problem areas in the equipment. The PRACAS
Technical Rationale:
Figure 1 illustrates the closed loop PRACAS with the necessary steps required to
get full use out of such a system. This continuous loop provides the program
with the opportunity to fine tune hardware reliability and performance through
repeated iterations of reporting and corrective action.
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