What is Markov Analysis?
Markov analysis is a method of analysis that can be applied to both repairable and non-repairable types of system. The basic output of a Markov analysis is the average time spent by the system in each of its distinct states before the system moves (or makes a transition) into some other distinct state. For example, such a transition or change of state will occur if the system suffers a component failure or if a repair has been carried out. A distinct change in the state of the system will have taken place in both of these cases.
The output from the Markov analysis enables a complete description of the system to be obtained in terms of its reliability, availability and resource utilisation (e.g. use of maintenance teams, spares holdings, buffers, etc). Also different system designs can be explored by comparing their reliability and availability performances as well as the effect of small tweaks to a given design under consideration. Results produced by a Markov analysis can then be used within a cost-benefit analysis to help identify the optimal design choice. Continue reading →