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 training, coaching and practical exercises, delegates learn to identify the root causes of real in-service failures and to implement effective and prompt remedial action. Delegates take away valuable technical skills that 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
  • Improve delegates’ ability to recognise different failure modes
  • Introduce key principles of Observation and Deduction in Failure Investigations
  • Improve knowledge of Failure Analysis, Metallurgy and prediction of failure – identifying the root causes.
  • Introduce principles of Failure Mode Effect and Criticality Analysis
  • Ensure the application of threaded fasteners is understood
  • Enhance understanding of the impact of human factors and the environment
  • Provide a foundation in Forensic Engineering

This is delivered by:

  • Engaging lessons that examine damaged hardware demonstrating failure modes with comprehensive examples.
  • Tutor led practical examination and analysis of failed hardware in syndicate groups, accounting for 50% of the course
  • Application of the O-D-A failure investigation process and techniques, from root cause identification to solution strategies
  • Conducting practical FMECA exercises 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 led to failures in service.

Failure Investigation Training Course

The 0-D-A course is suitable for a minimum of 6 to 8 delegates (with 2 tutors). Our most requested option is for 9 to 12 delegates (3 tutors) and the maximum option 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 and reinforced. 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, handheld magnifier and a course certificate.

O-D-A Course Applicability

Suitable for professionals in:

  • Materials and metallurgy
  • Design
  • Stress
  • Reliability and statistical analysis
  • FMECA
  • Failure investigation
  • Accident Investigation
  • Product Support
  • Maintenance and airworthiness

Having multi-disciplinary groups encourages networking and sharing of experiences.

Industries include Aerospace, Marine, Rail, Power Generation, Defence, and more.

O-D-A course: Benefits for your Business

The benefits that could accrue to your Business are:

  • Reduce unnecessary costs and wasted effort associated with incorrect root cause diagnosis
  • Improve product reliability and your company’s reputation
  • Minimise risk of failures and litigation

How is this achieved?

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 O­D-A course encourage your engineering teams to focus on and follow a systematic approach that 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 their progression.
  • Capitalising on 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 symptoms 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 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

Brands we have worked with

Interested?

Please ask your organisations training department to contact us for further information

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