Obsolescence
Surgery®
A Winslow Adaptics
Engineering Methodology
Obsolescence
Surgery®
A Winslow Adaptics
Engineering Methodology
A structured engineering approach to diagnosing and resolving obsolescence challenges in complex systems.
Understanding and resolving obsolescence in long-service systems requires more than simply replacing a component. Once the risk has been identified, the engineering challenge is determining the most appropriate path forward.
Our Approach
Obsolescence is rarely solved by replacing a single component. Once a risk has been identified, the engineering challenge begins: understanding the wider impact, assessing the available options and determining the most appropriate path forward.
Obsolescence Surgery® was developed to provide a structured engineering approach to those decisions, ensuring that the right engineering questions are answered before significant implementation activity begins.
The Obsolescence Surgery® Framework
Diagnose → Validate → Engineer → Sustain
In practice, resolving obsolescence in complex systems typically progresses through four stages.
1. Engineering Triage
Early-stage engineering assessment
2. Technical Feasibility
Confirming that a mitigation approach can work
3. Solution Engineering
Designing and implementing the mitigation
4. Lifecycle Continuity
Ensuring long-term supportability
Each stage helps ensure that obsolescence mitigation is approached with the right level of technical understanding before significant engineering effort or programme commitment is made.
Depending on the nature of the challenge, organisations may engage with Winslow at any stage of this process.
The thinking behind this framework is explored further in the Obsolescence Surgery® white paper series.
The Obsolescence Surgery® White Paper Series
The Obsolescence Surgery® White Paper series explores the engineering challenges associated with sustaining long-life systems. Each paper examines a practical engineering topic, encouraging informed discussion and sharing practical engineering observations drawn from real-world sustainment activities.
If you are currently navigating an obsolescence challenge, we are always happy to discuss the engineering considerations involved.
Paper 01
The Invisible Cost of Obsolescence Execution
Identifying an obsolescence risk is only the beginning. This paper explores why the engineering effort required to assess, validate and implement a solution can have a much wider impact on engineering teams and programme delivery than is often recognised.
