Insights into supporting complex systems under conditions of obsolescence

Abstract

Maintaining and supporting complex systems within a developing world context has many challenges including dealing with systems that are being operated beyond their designed life or where obsolescence is a major concern. Current methodologies to develop an integrated logistics support system (ILSS) are based on assumptions that are not valid in all cases, and a more robust framework with grounded design rules is required. The approach followed in developing the grounded technological rules was by deconstructing the available ILSS and related literature six case studies into the a framework. After analysis of this qualitative work, a third phase was added on where a questionnaire was used to explore the key areas of concern. Some of the insights regarding obsolete and beyond life complex systems were found to be: the effect of obsolescence is significantly wider than the obsolescence and retirement element of the existing frameworks; obsolescence planning must be done on reliability data for the specific operating environment, it is essential to understand technological changes and scan continuously for the impact on system or component obsolescence and that a risk based approach is essential to develop a obsolescence plan as part of the ILSS.

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