TABLE OF CONTENTS Some engineers believe that the term test includes analysis, demonstration, and examination as well as test. MIL-STD-961E, on the other hand, suggests that all four methods are examples of inspection. This is another semantic problem along with the V words that can cause confusion between people and organizations during the verification process. In this chapter we continue the differentiation of all verification work into the five separate methods as previously defined. Some engineers prefer also to identify a verification method termed based on similarity (BOS), where it is determined that the item is so similar to another item previously qualified that it is unnecessary to endure the cost and time needed for another verification cycle. Successful application in a prior use proves that the item is qualified for the new one. The author would prefer to simply include this as part of the analysis method because, in order to properly reach that conclusion, you must do some analysis comparing the characteristics and applications of the two items and evaluate the earlier test data relative to the new situation. This analysis may take all of five minutes but it is, nonetheless, an analysis.
This chapter deals with the three nontest methods and the work necessary to coordinate their implementation. The special category is not specifically discussed as it most often is a combination of the others. This work is generally very different from the test method from the organizational responsibility perspective because in most...
