Patent ID: 7899770

Claim:
A method for maintaining a complex article comprising using a computer to perform the steps of; (a) taking a set of options for replacing each of a plurality of components of the complex article, (b) identifying an optimum solution set from the set of possible replacement options of step (a) that best satisfies a plurality of criteria, the step of identifying an optimum solution set comprising the step of evaluating a plurality of potential solutions from the set of possible options defined in step (a) against the plurality of criteria, and (c) implementing an optimum solution of the optimum solution set, wherein the criteria values for potential solutions comprise probability functions and the step of evaluating a potential solution comprises the step of calculating a measure of effectiveness (MOE) of the potential solution from the probability function of each criterion value and at least one associated user function defining the acceptability of said criterion wherein each option for replacing a component is assessed against a plurality of criteria and wherein said plurality of criteria comprise at least one cost criteria and at least one benefit criteria.