R and M (Reliability and Maintainability) Quality Team Concept and C-17 Design at Douglas Aircraft Company: An R and M 2000 Initiative Case Study
Abstract
Major James F. Guzzi of the Aeronautical Systems Divisions's C-17 System Program Office developed a quality management initiative called the R&M (Reliability and Maintainability) Quality Team Concept. Its purpose is to provide companies with better management of R&M during the full-scale engineering development acquisition phase. Douglas Aircraft Co. (DAC) agreed to implement the R&M Quality Team Concept during design of the C-17. This thesis examined the effect of the R&M Quality Team Concept as instituted by DAC on the quality management of the R&M process during C-17 design. Research assessed the concept's perceived impact on: 1) communication on R&M issues; 2) R&M problem solving; and 3) specific C-17 design changes. A survey was administered to DAC employees and interviews were conducted with management at DAC's Long Beach, CA, facility. Hypothesis testing using z and t-tests assisted in evaluating survey results. Study results revealed overall employee support for the R&M Quality Team Concept. The concept provided a method of R&M management and problem solving not available in a traditional program organization, and a number of C- 17 design changes resulted from concept application. Keywords: Systems engineering; Aircraft industry; Jet transport aircraft.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA201574
Entities
People
- R. A. Phillips
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology