Cognitive map-based system modeling for identifying interaction failure modes

Past few decades have seen an upsurge in failure analysis techniques capable of dealing with reliability issues up front in the early stages of the product development process. Most of these approaches are centered on component-specific failures. However, with the advent of highly complex systems that derive functionalities from multiple physical phenomena domains, more emphasis is required on identifying failures arising due to various system interactions, which is largely absent in existing failure analysis approaches. Owing to the causal nature of system interaction failures, the use of cognitive maps in system modeling and simulation for failure analysis is highly suitable. This paper proposes a structured framework for the development and use of cognitive map-based system models capable of capturing all types of failure modes, including interaction failures. The applicability of the proposed framework is demonstrated with the example of an electric water heater.