# PAL-VMEA: A Novel Method for Enhancing Decision-Making Consistency in Maintenance Management
## 7 Results and Discussion  
The PAL-VMEA method culminates in the presentation and analysis of the VMEA form for each system and subsystem analyzed. This form, when correctly interpreted, provides the maintainer and maintenance planner with information of great value for assertive decisions regarding maintenance management, as previously presented. However, it can be said that the application of the PAL-VMEA is an example that the journey can be as important as the arrival. When interpreting the positioning of the favorable and unfavorable evidences of each factor (weight) evaluated in relation to the quadrants of the USCP, e.g., it is possible to verify, and understand, some fundamentals related to failure modes, and their observability, that can affect the analyzed system. Analyzing these positions, considering this first example, the following conclusions are reached:  
* For the F1 factor, the value found for assessing the transfer of variation from Sub-KPC to KPC criteria is equal to 9, which translates into a very high sensitivity, i.e., a change in noise factor is very likely to cause a significant deviation in Sub-KPC. Being the result in the Quasi-true tending to paracomplete zone, it is understood, in this case, that if there is a small loss of oil, it may not affect the pressurization of the air-oil accumulator as the air pressure would compensate (with the filling of the bladder). However, this compensation has a limit, once it is exceeded, the oil pressurization drops, so the variation of the oil volume starts to affect the accumulator pressurization capacity, being able to interrupt the hydrogenerator operation. * The weight value F2, which also refers to the transfer of variation from the Sub-KPC to KPC criteria, is equal to 9, translating into a very high sensitivity, which points out that the decision falls in the zone of Truth probably because the decision-makers have full knowledge of the failure mechanism. Without air pressure, it is not possible to pressurize the air-oil accumulator, which may interrupt the operation of the entire generator. * The third weight, F3, is associated with the criteria for assessing the variability of NFs. Being equal to 2, it indicates a very low variability of NF in operating conditions. In this case, it is understood that, for being in the Quasi-false tending to inconsistent zone, practically bordering on quasi-false tending to paracomplete zone, the following assumptions were taken into account: as the origin of oil leaks in the air-oil accumulator can be due to cracks in the pressure vessel and/or failures in the joints and connections, it is impossible to make a consistent measurement over time. So, measuring the derivative of such a measurement (indicator of variability) is an almost impossible task and the decision-makers do not have accurate data for an assessment with complete certainty. * The fourth factor, F4, also related to the variability of the NFs, has a value equal to 3, indicating a low variability of NF in operating conditions. Being in the Quasi-false tending to paracomplete zone, it is understood that measuring clogging in the intake or exit pipeline of the accumulator is a complex task, requiring specific equipment and techniques, such as ultrasonic testing. Therefore, it is difficult to make a consistent measurement of the variability of the clogging over time. So, decision-makers do not have accurate data for an assessment with complete certainty. * The F5 factor, also related to the variability of the NFs, is equal to 1. This value indicates a very low variability of NF in operating conditions. Being in the Quasi-false tending to inconsistent zone, overlapping the F3 factor, this result is related to the fact that measuring the leakage in the air pipeline could be a complex task. Since the maintainer does not have easy access to the entire length of the pipeline to inspect it, specific techniques and instruments are needed to solve the problem.