The hidden crisis in test effectiveness

The sophistication and complexity of avionic, and other, prime systems has been growing at a pace that has not been matched by commensurate improvements in test technology. The result is NFF (no fault found) and other test effectiveness deficiencies that will soon, if they have not already, reach crisis levels. This pending crisis is all the more serious because it tends to be hidden by a variety of technical, administrative and commercial factors that often mask the real problems, and that sometimes even hinder the measures needed to correct them. Corrective action requires recognition of the true nature of test effectiveness deficiencies, the paradigms and processes with which they are associated, and the changes required to keep pace with modern prime system technology, maintenance requirements and safety objectives