IEC 60300-1 2014 Edition – Dependability Management Guide

Dependability is an important attribute to be considered in any quality program.  The IEC 60300-1, “Dependability management – Part 1: Guidance for management and application,” has been in force since 1993.  Now the new Edition 3.0 from 2014 has just been released.  The update not only replaces the previous Edition 2.0 from 2003 but also supersedes the IEC 60300-2 Edition 2.0 from 2004.

To achieve dependable performance of your product, you’ll need to manage the process.  IEC 60300-1 provides a framework for providing dependable technology products, systems, and services.  However, the committee does note that the guidance can apply to any application, both technology- and non-technology-based.

What kinds of changes will you find compared to the previous issue?

• Definitions have been updated (the influence of IEC 60050-191, 2014 Edition)
• The description of dependability and its attributes has been enhanced
• The approach to dependability management is more generic
• Guidelines for the application of dependability management have been revised
• There’s a more generic approach to life cycle considerations
• There’s new consideration of the framework for dependability standards
• The document has been completely reformatted, with additional Annexes, and integrates the information previously in Part 2.

You’ll now find that after the usual first 3 sections (scope, reference documents, and definitions), the bulk of the standard is in 3 sections.  Section 4 covers dependability management as a concept — understanding dependability and the benefits and challenges of managing it.  Section 5 provides a system for managing dependability.  Here’s you’ll find a management overview of organization, actions, and evaluation that’s essential for implementation.  Section 6 then focuses on the application of your system — the nuts and bolts of making dependability a reality.  Topics like risk management, tailoring  your system, life cycle and so on are discussed.

Instead of the old 2 Annexes of the 2nd Edition (Dependability relationships and Sequence of activities), there are now 5 Annexes, all informative.  They are:

• Annex A, Organizational arrangements of a dependability management system
• Annex B, Activities of a dependability management system
• Annex C, Defining requirements of an item
• Annex D, Structure of dependability standards
• Annex E, Checklist for review of dependability

As you can see, this new publication is chock full of the kind of guidance you need to improve the dependability of your products.  To get a copy in either paper format or for pdf download, go to our Document Center webstore (www.document-center.com).  Or you’re welcome to contact our staff by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  There you’ll find lots of tools to help you identify the standards you need.  And our collection of over 450,000 unique titles will surely have the documents you’re looking for.

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