IEC 60300-1:2014

Overview

IEC 60300-1:2014 - "Dependability management – Part 1: Guidance for management and application" - establishes a management framework for achieving and optimizing dependability of items (products, systems, processes or services) that include hardware, software and human elements. The standard provides guidance for planning and implementing dependability activities across the entire life cycle, taking into account related requirements such as safety and environmental constraints. This third edition (2014) updates definitions, enhances the description of dependability attributes, adopts a more generic life‑cycle approach and introduces a framework for dependability standards. It cancels and replaces the 2003 edition and related IEC 60300-2 (2004).

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard focuses on practical management and application of dependability. Core technical topics include:

• Dependability concepts and attributes - availability, reliability, maintainability, supportability and related time‑dependent characteristics.
• Life‑cycle approach - planning and implementing dependability activities during concept, development, realization, utilization, enhancement and retirement.
• Dependability management system - organizational arrangements, management actions, performance evaluation and resource allocation.
• Requirements and tailoring - analysis and definition of dependability requirements, tailoring a dependability programme to context and risk.
• Risk management and assurance - integrating dependability risk assessment with technical activities and assurance practices.
• Measurement and assessment - metrics, monitoring, review and continuous improvement of dependability performance.
• Tool and technique selection - guidance on choosing appropriate dependability tools and technical activities for different stages of the life cycle.
• Supporting materials - informative annexes (organizational arrangements, activity checklists, requirements examples and dependability standards framework).

Practical applications and users

IEC 60300-1:2014 is intended for organizations and personnel responsible for designing, producing, operating or maintaining items where dependable performance matters. Typical users include:

• Managers responsible for product or system dependability strategy and resource planning
• Systems engineers and dependability engineers defining and verifying dependability requirements
• Quality, maintenance and reliability teams implementing life‑cycle activities and metrics
• Procurement and suppliers aligning contracts with dependability objectives
• Safety, environmental and risk management professionals integrating dependability with other requirements

Practical applications: product design and validation, system integration, maintenance planning, service delivery, life‑cycle cost optimization, and dependability assurance programs.

Related standards

• Definitions aligned with IEC 60050-191:2014 (electrotechnical vocabulary).
• Part of the IEC 60300 series (Dependability management); the standard provides a framework for associated dependability process, core and support standards.

Keywords: dependability management, IEC 60300-1:2014, life cycle, reliability, availability, maintainability, supportability, dependability standards, risk management.