This part of BS 5760 gives guidance on specifying the required dependability characteristics in system specifications, together with specifications of procedures and criteria for assurance.
The guidance provided includes the following:
—advice on specifying quantitative and qualitative availability, reliability, maintainability and maintenance support requirements;
—advice to purchasers of a system to help them to ensure that the specified requirements will be fulfilled by suppliers;
—advice to suppliers to help them to meet purchaser requirements.
NOTE 1 Whilst mainly addressing system and equipment level reliability, many of the techniques described in the different parts of BS 5760 may also be applied at the component level. Further guidance on component reliability is given in BS CECC 00804:1996.
NOTE 2 This standard does not give guidance on the management of dependability programmes or on the various activities necessary to fulfil stated availability, reliability, maintainability and maintenance support requirements. For this general guidance, see other standards (see Annex A).
NOTE 3 Safety specifications are not considered in this guide.
NOTE 4 Guidance for the inclusion of reliability clauses in specifications for components (or parts) for electronic equipment is given in BS EN 61319.
NOTE 5 Specifications for the dependability of a service are not considered in this guide. This includes the provision of a service such as those provided through Public-Private Partnership procurements.