Meaning
Decision tools for identifying the party responsible for a system failure ensure that warranty claims and repair costs are handled fairly. A fault attribution matrix lists the possible failure modes and assigns a percentage of responsibility to the component supplier, the integrator or the operator. This document is a standard attachment to service contracts for complex industrial machinery.
Failure Classification
Categories of errors are defined based on the evidence found during the root cause analysis. The fault attribution matrix distinguishes between a hardware defect and a failure caused by improper maintenance or environmental conditions. This clarity prevents disputes when a machine breaks down under heavy use.
Contractual Alignment
Obligations of each party are mapped to specific performance indicators and error codes. Using a fault attribution matrix allows the buyer to automatically calculate the compensation due for a specific period of downtime. The alignment between the contract and the technical data simplifies the administrative part of the relationship.
Corrective Action
Identification of the root cause leads to the implementation of changes that prevent the issue from occurring again. Once the fault attribution matrix points to a specific design flaw the manufacturer must issue a field change order. This loop ensures that the reliability of the system improves as more data is collected.
