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Optimizing quality assurance program benefits through performance and reliability analysis

Conference · · Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5547181
Quality assurance (QA) principles have long been applied in part to many varied industrial enterprises. In general, the main emphasis in the past has been placed largely on standard management practices with the inclusion of quality control or inspection elements. The advent of commercial nuclear power brought the evolution of a more comprehensive approach to the applications of QA programs in this and related industries. However, the application philosophy was aimed almost totally at assuring the safety of the worker and the public. Recently, there has been a strong movement by industry and business in the United States and Europe to apply QA in a more general way to assure overall reliability as well as safety. The key to successfully accomplishing this is the determination of the degree of program intensity appropriate to the item or activity that is part of the total project or operation. This paper describes an approach to enable management to not only make initial determinations of how to apply the elements of a QA program, but how to continuously adjust the program to optimize the benefits that can be obtained.
Research Organization:
Gilbert/Commonwealth Inc., Reading, PA
OSTI ID:
5547181
Report Number(s):
CONF-851115-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 50
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English