System Hierarchy

In Xfmea, RCM++ and RBI, the flexible system hierarchy allows you to manage large, multi-level system configurations with as many levels as you need and any number of items per level. You can fully define the properties for each item (e.g., supplier, part number, expected operating environment, etc.) and perform relevant analyses for selected items.

For RCM and FMEA analyses, the hierarchy will consist of systems, subsystems and components, and you can perform a variety of analyses at any level in the configuration. (See Building the System Hierarchy.)

For RBI analyses, you also have the option to define systems, subsystems and components. However, the risk based inspection analysis can be performed only for specialized items that represent specific equipment and component types that are addressed in the API RP 580/1 guidelines. (See Building the RBI System Hierarchy.)


System Hierarchy in Xfmea and RCM++	System Hierarchy in RBI

System Hierarchy Filtered View

On the Filtered View tab of the System panel, you can also select or create an item filter to find and focus on the specific items of interest.

System Hierarchy Columns

To hide or display system hierarchy columns, or change the column order, right-click the column headings then click Customize Columns. (You can also change the column order by dragging and dropping column headings into the desired positions.) These settings are stored per computer/username in the System Hierarchy page of the Application Setup. Any project that you open on this computer will have the same columns displayed, but other users may have different display preferences.

The following columns are available:

# displays the record position number assigned by the software based on the position of the item in the system hierarchy. For example, if you insert a new item above an existing item, then the new item will take the number of the existing item and all items below it will be renumbered. Likewise, if you delete an item, all items below it will be renumbered automatically.
Name displays the item name. This is a required field, and it is specified on the Properties tab of the Analysis panel.

Component Type

This is relevant only for Component items in a risk based inspection analysis and indicates the type of component (which determines the analysis method that will be used).

Area Risk (Plan Date) and Financial Risk (Plan Date)

These are relevant only for Component items in a risk based inspection analysis and indicate the risk priority that has been calculated from the RBI analysis. As discussed in more detail in RBI Results, the "Plan Date" is the next date when the component is scheduled to undergo major maintenance or replacement. The "Area Risk" represents the risk to the surrounding area assuming that you do not schedule any inspections prior to the plan date, while the "Financial Risk" represents the financial consequences.

Record ID displays a unique identifier assigned by the software. The record ID is unique among all system hierarchy items that are defined in the database. It can also be used in the Query Utility to help identify a specific item that may share the same name with another item.
User Access displays status indicator when the record is in use () or when it is restricted to selected users ().
XFRACAS Associated Hierarchy Item is available for enterprise databases only. It indicates that the item is associated with an XFRACAS hierarchy item. If an association exists, future changes made to the item and/or its failures and causes in XFRACAS can be brought into the software by synchronizing the data.
Reference Number displays the reference number associated with the item. To display this column in the current project, the field must be enabled on the Item > Properties page of the interface style. The number is specified on the Properties tab of the Analysis panel.
Tip: If you wish to automatically generate reference numbers (e.g., 1.2.1) for all items based on their positions in the hierarchy, choose System Hierarchy > Tools > Renumber All Items and then select the Apply to reference number field check box. This cannot be undone.
Part Number displays the part number associated with the item. To display this column in the current project, the field must be enabled on the Item > Properties page of the interface style. The number is specified on the Properties tab of the Analysis panel.
FMEA Document Number displays the document number for the local FMEA associated with the item, if any. To display this column in the current project, the field must be enabled on the FMEA > Header page of the interface style. This number is specified on the Header tab of the FMEA, if there’s an FMEA defined for the item.
Attachment displays a paper clip icon if one or more files have been attached to the corresponding item.
Flag displays a flag for the item, if desired. The available flags are: Complete (indicated by a green flag), In Progress (indicated by a yellow flag) and Incomplete (indicated by a red flag). In all Synthesis applications, flags are displayed in the interface only and do not affect analysis results or reports.
Item SxO displays the calculated rating from the Item Severity x Item Occurrence (if enabled for the project). If a Risk Ranking Logic is defined for the project, the value will be color-coded based on the specified risk criteria.
Item Risk displays the calculated Risk Ranking Logic value for the item, if it is defined for the project.
Risk Discovery displays an icon if a risk discovery analysis has been performed on the item. If the analysis indicates that the item requires more detailed investigation, the icon will be red ; otherwise, the icon will be green .
Risk Discovery Details displays a number if a risk discovery analysis has been performed on the item.
- If the analysis uses risk discovery questions, then this cell will display the number of questions with "Yes" answers. More "Yes" answers indicates greater risk.
- If the analysis uses risk discovery ratings, then this cell will display the calculated value of all categories, which is based on the method in use for the Risk Discovery Ratings used in the project. Higher values indicate greater risk.
P-Diagram displays if a Parameter Diagram (P-Diagram) has been created for the item, when a P-Diagram change log is present and that a revision is in progress or when a P-Diagram change log is present and no revision is active.
Process Flow Diagram Worksheet displays if a PFD worksheet has been created for the item.
FMEA displays if an FMEA has been created for the item, when an FMEA change log is present for the local FMEA and that a revision is in progress or when an FMEA change log is present for the local FMEA and no revision is active.
DRBFM displays if a design review based on failure mode (DRBFM) analysis has been created for the item.
DVP&R displays if a design verification plan and report (DVP&R) analysis has been created for the item, when a DVP&R change log is present and that a revision is in progress or when a DVP&R change log is present and that no revision is active.
Control Plan displays if a control plan analysis has been created for the item, when a control plan change log is present and that a revision is in progress or when a control plan change log is present and no revision is active.
Process Flow Diagram displays if a graphical process flow diagram has been created for the item.
FMEA Block Diagram displays if an FMEA Block Diagram has been created for the item.
Cause and Effect Diagram displays if a cause and effect diagram has been created for the item.
QCPNi and QCPNr display the calculated initial and revised Quantitative Consequence Priority Numbers. To display these columns in the current project, the fields must be enabled on the FMEA > RPNs page of interface style.

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