TABLE OF CONTENTS This chapter demonstrates how to analyze a process, procedure, piece of equipment, or anything else that has one or more problems. The main objective of this type of project is to solve existing problems and at the same time improve the process, procedure, or equipment. The project selected for this chapter is a piece of equipment with several problems that need to be fixed. Also, this equipment has to be reliable because in some instances it can be a matter of life and death if it fails to function properly. This chapter also demonstrates how to indicate alternate proposals on a logic diagram. Method 5 is usually chosen for selecting this type of project.
The project selected is a communication device used by the military to display, analyze, and transmit field conditions. The device is a portable electronics package easily carried and inserted into and removed from a variety of host vehicles. The main components are a structural case that contains the system's electronics, a removable hard drive, and backup battery. Also included in the device are a display, keyboard, and interface cables.
Method 5 requires four questions to be asked, which yielded the following answers:
| Q1 | What problem shall we discuss? |
| A1 | Current communication system has acquisition and sustainment costs that exceed projected annual acquisition plus ownership allocations |
| Q2 | Why do you think this is a problem? |
| A2 | Field failures have exceeded normal operating costs
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