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Effect of individual components on system's reliability: A case of web-based US Federal Highway Administration project recommendation and approval software

Article Information:

Title:

Effect of individual components on system's reliability: A case of web-based US Federal Highway Administration project recommendation and approval software

Author(s):

Mark R. Chandler, M. Affan Badar

Journal:

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management

Year:

2009

Volume:

26

Issue:

6

Page:

614 - 628


ISSN:

0265-671X


DOI:

10.1108/02656710910966156

Publisher:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited


Acknowledgements:

The authors acknowledge the support provided by the Wisconsin Division Office of the US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.

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Abstract:

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of individual components' reliability on a system's reliability. The system refers to the Financial Management Information System (FMIS), the US Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) web-based project approval and tracking software. Its components are 61 project information fields.

Design/methodology/approach – The analysis would view each highway project-funding request as an activity with cycle-dependent performance for which success probability can be calculated as Reliability, R. The reliability analysis of the 61 FMIS fields results in a series system with Rsys the “estimated reliability” of finding “true” values in all 61 information fields during one highway-related project funding authorization review.

Findings – Of an estimated 200 projects approved, there was previously estimated a 50 percent to 80 percent unreliability rate, while the study found an unreliability rate of approximately 80 percent.

Research limitations/implications – Owing to the nature of federal government software, data can be very difficult to acquire in this working environment, but a simple calculation was relatively successful in confirming the “estimated reliability” of finding “true” values and showing how the reliability could dramatically decrease.

Originality/value – The paper contributes to the applicability of reliability analysis to project approval software, showing the progression from estimated data to bounding the estimate using reliability theory.

Keywords:

Computer software, Management information systems, Motorways, Project finance, United States of America, Worldwide web


Article Type:

Case study


Article URL:

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/02656710910966156

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