| dc.description.abstract | RBI (risk-based inspection) is an inspection scheduling method that relies on risk to produce inspection intervals for equipment. RBI is done by producing a risk characterization for the equipment in question and based on the level of risk, inspection intervals are determined. However, most of RBI processes use outdated approaches to handle the risk and they rely on old risk descriptions that do not capture the whole risk picture. This what motivates the current study in which an attempt is made to evaluate IKM’s RBI and look for opportunities for improving it.
The study relies on qualitative data collected through open ended interviews with IKM employees. The goal of the interviews is to understand the approach followed by IKM to do their RBI.
The study resulted in discovering issues with assumptions in the program, finding multiple sources of uncertainty, highlighting issues with the knowledge behind the assessment, highlighting issues related to the risk description and ranking system, and discovering risk handling strategies deficiencies.
The study ended with some suggested improvements to reduce uncertainties in IKM’s RBI. Some of the main suggestions are: inclusion of probability of detection and human error in the assessment, adoption of a better risk ranking system, having a strength of knowledge judgement system, uncovering assumptions which are not obvious (tacit assumptions), adoption of risk averse handling strategies, and finally, having a management review and judgement step. | |
