Training Course - Allen-Crapper Associates LLP

All about

Our Training Course :
Observe - Deduce - Analyse

Established more than 30 years ago, our highly acclaimed Observe-Deduce-Analyse (O-D-A) course delivers class-leading failure investigation training. Over 3 days of coaching and practical exercises, delegates learn to identify the root cause of real in-service failures and to implement effective and prompt remedial actions. Delegates take away valuable technical skills which can enhance the safety, productivity and reputation of your business.

Observe-Deduce-Analyse (O-D-A)

Every failed part has its own story to tell… but we need to be skilled enough to read it

The course objectives are:

To give an understanding of the Failure Modes of Metals, with practical examples.
To improve the skills of Observation and Deduction in Failure Investigations.
To improve the science of Failure Analysis and Prediction – identifying the Root Cause.
To apply this knowledge to Failure Mode Effect and Criticality Analysis (FMECA).
To ensure the application of Threaded Fastenings is understood.
To provide an awareness of the impact of Human Factors and Repair Faults.
To provide a foundation in Forensic Engineering.

This is delivered by:

Practical tutor led examination and analysis of failed hardware in syndicate groups, accounting for over 50% of the course.
Application of the O-D-A failure investigation process and techniques, from Root Cause identification to solution strategy.
Conducting a practical FMECA exercise to predict potential failures and comparing those results with actual failed in-service hardware.
Examining case studies involving Human Factors and Repair Faults that have lead to failures in-service.

Failure Investigation Training Course

The O-D-A course is suitable for a minimum of 6 to 8 delegates (2 tutors). Our most requested option is for 9 to 12 delegates (3 tutors) and the maximum being 13 to 16 delegates (4 tutors). The syndicate group size of 3-4 delegates ensures each delegate has full interactive involvement and each group is tutored by an experienced professional engineer.

The 3 day course is ‘hands-on’ and involves the delegates in summarising their findings and giving short feedback presentations to their course colleagues so the learning points from each exercise are shared with all groups. Where possible, the syndicates are selected such that the delegates have different experience levels and backgrounds, which results in additional benefits of cross-fertilisation of ideas, teamwork and networking opportunities.

The course is usually delivered at the client’s premises. However, alternative arrangements can be organised if needed. Allen-Crapper Associates LLP will provide all the course materials, hardware, microscopes and other aids. Each delegate will receive a reference handbook, hand held magnifier and a course certificate.

O-D-A Course Applicability

The O-D-A course is suited to many engineering disciplines, including: Design, Stress, Failure Investigation, Accident Investigation, Research and Development, Reliability and Statistical Analysis, FMECA, Product Support, On-line Maintenance, Airworthiness and Metallurgy. Having multi-disciplinary groups encourages networking & sharing of experience.

O-D-A course: Benefits for your Business

The benefits that could accrue to your Business are:

Reduce unnecessary costs & wasted effort associated with incorrect root cause diagnosis
Improve product reliability and your company’s reputation
Minimise the likelihood of liability issues, or possible litigation actions

This is achieved through:

Applying Proven Methodology

The O-D-A methodology has been developed over many years and has been adopted by many leading companies as a very effective and proven method of correctly identifying the Root Cause of a failure, thereby minimising the chance of recurrence.
The techniques and skills developed during the O-D-A course focus your engineering teams to follow a systematic approach, which collects evidence through critical examination of the failed component and drives robust deductions based on facts.

Getting the Product right first time
The O-D-A course will help your engineers to get the Product right first time by:

Providing greater awareness of potential failure modes and the factors influencing the progression.
Capitalising on FMECA methodology: The application of FMECA methodology during the design process (including for repairs and modifications) will encourage engineers to consider the effects of a single part failure on the integrity of the whole system. Review of FMECA can also be a valuable tool to assist in failure investigation.

Avoiding repeat costs of fixing only a Symptom

Wrongly tackling the symptom wastes time, effort and incurs unnecessary cost. It is likely to push the problem elsewhere, potentially resulting in a greater disruption. Correctly identifying the Root Cause prevents wasting these valuable resources.

O-D-A course: Benefits for your Delegates

The benefits that you and your Business could accrue from the O-D-A course are:

Recognise and Understand Failure Modes

You will have gained a broad grounding on how to identify and understand failure modes in metallic components

Use the Correct Terminology

You will learn the correct vocabulary and terminology, enhancing your credibility when conducting failure investigation and when discussing details with the customers or specialists

Develop Observation and Deduction Techniques

You will improve your skills of making detailed observations and capturing evidence associated with a failure and then drawing robust deductions from those facts

Forensic Engineering

The O-D-A course embraces Root Cause Analysis techniques and covers the basis of Forensic Engineering. It is analogous to studying a crime scene whereby you will gather background information, conduct a careful and detailed examination of the failed part and then make your deductions, followed by an analysis of ‘the way ahead’

Gain Confidence

Regardless of background or experience, on completion of our O-D-A Failure Investigation training course you will be far more confident in your approach and be able to ask more probing questions from an informed position

Gain Credibility

Your credibility with the customer will be greatly enhanced as you will be better placed to gather the crucial background information required for failure investigations and understand the impact of the solution strategy

Skills Transfer

You will gain from the considerable skills transfer of the highly experienced professional tutors and from fellow delegates

Career Development and Enhancement

The O-D-A course places you in a much stronger position for you to enhance and develop your career. The knowledge and skill gained will be very beneficial during assessment/interviews for promotion, or with professional institutions