Logistics system engineering A generic logistics model

A generic logistics model

Module 2

Relationship to other modules

Second module which continues on the systems engineering principles set by the first
module. The system and life cycle concepts are used as the foundation for an integrated
logistic support model.

Outline of the module

• In this module the definition of integrated logistic support is introduced. This definition
will then be used to define the two concepts of logistics engineering and operational
logistics.
• For each of these logistics concepts a visual model is discussed. Using basic
principles of systems and the life cycle approach these two concepts are integrated
into a generic life cycle model for integrated logistic support.

Objectives the module

To
provide a generic model of integrated logistic support
in a way that
• clearly defines the different areas of logistics
• shows the relationships between the different areas of logistics
• highlights the importance of both management and technical activities within logistics
so that
the student can a have a clear understanding of the importance and position of
logistics engineering within systems development and the life cycle

Outcomes of this module

At the end of this module the student must be able to:

• define integrated logistic support, logistics engineering and operational logistics
• use the model to explain the relationships between the different areas of logistics, as
well explaining the relationship between the technical and managerial processes

Study notes compiled by Dr PJ Pretorius Module 2 Page 1

Logistics system engineering A generic logistics model

2.1 Integrated logistic support defined

Integrated logistic support (ILS) is defined as a disciplined, unified and iterative approach to
the management and technical activities necessary to:
• integrate support considerations into system and equipment design;
• develop support requirements that are related consistently to readiness objectives, to
design, and to each other;
• acquire the required support;
• provide the required support during the operational phase at minimum cost.

ILS is
• disciplined i.e. it requires skill, control and commitment
• unified i.e. it integrates a complex whole as well as integrates into a complex
whole (different levels of integration)
• iterative i.e. it is performed repetitively into lower levels of detail

ILS has two distinct areas of focus namely management and technical activities, both are
important and part of ILS. It is not only the management processes as some advocates
propose. ILS addresses the total life cycle namely
• concept
• design
• production
• operations, support and phase-out
and should be part of each phase from cradle to grave.

Logistics consist of all activities in support of an organisation’s prime mission. These activities
include material management and storage, transportation, packaging, distribution, front-end
systems design, support systems management and engineering, life-cycle engineering and
customer service.

2.2 Logistics engineering defined

Logistics engineering can be defined as the management and technical activities necessary
to:
• integrate support considerations into system and equipment design;
• develop support requirements that are related consistently to readiness
objectives, to design, and to each other
to ensure the safety, capability, availability and economic viability of the system during the
operational phase.

“In essence, logistics engineering covers (1) the design of the prime mission equipment for
supportability, and (2) the design of the overall support capability for the system. These
requirements can be considered as an inherent part of the overall systems engineering
process.” (Blanchard, B.S., 1992:14). Logistics engineering ensures that the requirements
of the customer (ability, availability and affordability) are met from a support point of view.
Safety is also included as it is a system characteristic that is implicitly assumed and cannot
be ignored from both a (1) successful system as well as a (2) liability point of view.

Study notes compiled by Dr PJ Pretorius Module 2 Page 2

Logistics system engineering A generic logistics model

Requirements
& host
environment

Ability
Availability
Affordability
& Restrictions

Ops
Operational
system R&M

Design
Influence
Design

Logistics should be engineered i.e. logistics engineering, to ensure successful operational

logistics. The purpose of logistics engineering is to:
• ensure that whilst designing a system all operational considerations are taken into
account in order to ensure that design is safe, capable, supportable, available and
economical from a logistical viewpoint;
• ensure that all resources that will be required by the system during its operational
phase for both operations and maintenance are identified, specified and designed to
support the system when it is operated.

These two primary goals are achieved by vigorously pursuing design activities that considers
the customer/market environment, that considers restrictions this environment places on the
design and support system and that ensures the market requirements are met. These two
primary goals of logistics engineering clearly demonstrates a strong marketing orientation.
What is aimed at when striving for a logistically supportable system is system ability, system
availability and system affordability without compromising total system safety. Having a
capable system (that operates smoothly because of logistics), an available system when
required (made possible by the logistic support system) and a cost effective system
(operationally and logistically, because it was designed to be that way), the customer will be
satisfied resulting in the supplying company to achieve its goals. The management activities
involved in logistics engineering are concerned with development- and project management.

The logistics engineering process comprises of:

• Establishing the operations and support concepts
• Influencing the design
• Identifying the support resources
• Designing the support resources
• Designing the operational phase support management systems

Study notes compiled by Dr PJ Pretorius Module 2 Page 3

Logistics system engineering A generic logistics model

2.3 Logistics engineering results

• Inherent logistics
• Supportability
• Reliability
• Maintainability
• Safety
• Testability
• Life cycle cost
• Pre-planned improvements
• Deliverable logistics
• Support planning (Including all management processes)
• Supply support
• Test and support equipment
• Packaging, marking, storage and transportation
• Personnel and training
• Facilities
• Technical data
• Computer resources

2.4 Operational logistics defined

Operational logistics is defined as the management and technical activities necessary to:
• acquire the required support,
• provide the required support
during the operational phase ensuring the highest levels of safety, capability and availability
within the limits set by design.

Operational logistics are all those management and technical activities required during the
operational and support phase of the system that supports the systems primary reason for
existence.

The capability, availability and cost of operation and support have been established when the
design was made. Therefore, as these characteristics are determined by the design, there
must be a limit to improving or optimising each of these during the operations and support
phase. The single characteristic that is often the target for reduction is cost. However, it is
very difficult to change the inherent design characteristics (which on its own can be very
costly) during the operations and support phase.

The system is operated and therefore requires operations support (e.g. fuel, trained operating
personnel, etc). The system also ages with time and operations which results in failure
occurrences and the probability of failures increasing. Depending on the effect of the failure
or potential failure preventive or corrective maintenance is performed. If the criticality of the
effect is high preventive maintenance will be done to try and reduce the probability of failure
occurrence. If the criticality of the effect is low then no preventive maintenance will be
performed. The system will be operated until the failure occurs and then corrected at a
suitable time. The criticality of a failure depends on the severity of the effect considering
safety, availability and cost, as well as the probability of the failure.

Study notes compiled by Dr PJ Pretorius Module 2 Page 4

Logistics system engineering A generic logistics model

System Supports/Maintains/Restores Ability

Operation

System ageing Operating

and degradation Support

Potential and Preventive

actual failures Maintenance

Operating
Effect

Corrective Recycling
Maintenance Waste disposal
Phasing out

The ILS management activities in operational logistics is mostly concerned with procurement,
inventory management, distribution management, maintenance management and manage-
ment of providing operational support and is not shown in the above model.

2.5 Operational logistics results

• Pre-deployment logistics
• Personnel mobilisation
• Training
• Initial stocking
• Facility activation
• Logistic support data system

• Post-deployment logistics
• Provide operating support
• Maintenance execution and management
• Procurement and supplier management
• Inventory management
• Facility management
• Supply and distribution management
• People management
• Configuration (data) management
• Data collection and analysis (FRACAS)

Study notes compiled by Dr PJ Pretorius Module 2 Page 5

Logistics system engineering A generic logistics model

2.6 An integrated logistic support model

The characteristics of the ILS model are the following:

• The model is congruent with the systems approach as well as the ILS definition to take
cognisance of the system life cycle;
• Both management and technical activities are indicated together with their timing and
level of activity with respect to the life cycle phases;
• It indicates the involvement from the operational side from the beginning of design;
• It indicates the involvement of logistics engineering until phase out is complete
Management

Phasing out management

Managing the logistics Physical
engineering process acquisition and Ongoing
commissioning management
management of operations
Physical
Requirements acquisition Operational logistics
& host Commissioning
environment
System Supports/Maintains/Restores Ability
D e s i gn
gn e
Technical Activities

Operation
si c Sy M a
en s
Infl e

na m s
D
u

te

System ageing Operating

gem

and degradation Support

Ability
en t

Availability
Affordability
& Restrictions Potential and Preventive
actual failures Maintenance
ou tion

Operating
De o
e

Re

Effect
rc
ni

fi ig
s

System of De s ur n
interest ce
Re Corrective
Design Maintenance Recycling/
interaction Waste disposal
Design
Logistics engineering
Integrate support with design
ILS Focus

Develop support requirements

Acquire the required support

Provide the support within cost targets

Conceptual design Detail design Production Operations, support and phasing out
Life Cycle Phases

Logistics engineering is concerned with effectiveness (doing the right things) whereas
operational logistics is concerned with efficiency (doing things right). Doing the right things
can only be determined during the initial phases.

2.7 References

Blanchard, B.S. (1992). Logistics Engineering and Management (4th Ed). Upper Saddle River,
NJ: Prentice Hall. pp. 3, 11-14.

Blanchard, B.S. (1998). Logistics Engineering and Management (5th Ed). Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Prentice Hall. pp 3-5, 23-24.

Pretorius, P.J. (1997). How integrated is integrated logistics? South African Journal of
Industrial Engineering. Vol 8, No 2, November 1997. p11-16.

Study notes compiled by Dr PJ Pretorius Module 2 Page 6