State of the art in Through-life Engineering Services

Through-life Engineering Services (TES) involve the use of applied technologies in support of complex engineering products. TES are considered to be key enablers of innovative product support strategies and business models achieved by condition-based monitoring, applied prognostic and diagnostic technologies, aligned Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) strategies, and integrated service delivery systems. This paper presents the findings of a state-of-the-art review of the literature relating to TES. Contributions to the literature are identified by the application of a structured and defined method, which are then collated and analysed. The findings are grouped into a number of themes which include definition, structure, scope and standards that govern TES. Further findings report examples of TES applications, features in the effective design of TES solutions, tools and methodologies for designing TES in support of complex engineering products, and offers discussion of the ongoing and future direction for TES.