Application of Bayesian Process to Annual Validation Strategy

This paper proposes that logical, reliability-based thinking be applied to the establishment of post-launch periodic re-validation plans. A Bayesian reliability framework may serve as a tool for managing issues related to continual conformance. For an organization that already has a standardized, reliability-based product development process, planning continual conformance strategies is a natural extension of that process. In planning periodic re-validations, the focus should be on potential failure modes related to manufacturing processes and fluctuations in supplied parts quality. An application example using an automotive part is presented to demonstrate how this may be done.