Whenever  you  evaluate  the  operational  readiness  of your personnel, you should ensure that they are familiar with  the  following  topics: Intended  purpose  of  all  switches,  indicators, controls,  and  the  impact  each  has  on  other subsystems or combat system equipments Communication links available at the station and with the other stations Knowledge  of  and  compliance  with  specified communication   disciplines Knowledge  that  the  lack  of  communication discipline is an internal hazard to the combat system or to the ship TEST SELECTION AND SCHEDULING With the coming of PMS, an integrated approach to testing  was  developed.  This  approach  is  based  on defining  all  functional  test  requirements  and  subjecting them  to  a  critical  examination.  The  examination involves an engineering analysis in which each function, parameter, and characteristic is examined for its (1) importance   to   mission   or   mode   performance,   (2) reliability based on the circuit elements that affect the function and (3) expected mean time between failures. This places a test periodicity (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannually, annually, and cyclically) on the functions.   Critical   functions   are   assigned   a   high periodicity,  regardless  of  reliability;  while  less  critical functions may be assigned a lower periodicity based on their  reliability.  Related  functions  are  grouped  by periodicity  and  functional  interdependency  so  that  they may  be  tested  by  appropriate  periods.  This  integrated testing concept results in a management problem that is a  SERT  responsibility. The  tactical  situation  governs  how  and  when maintenance  is  scheduled.  Scheduling  is  a  critical element  of  preventive  maintenance  management  and requires  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  intent  and conditions  of  each  maintenance  requirement  card (MRC). Important conditions include in-port and at-sea requirements,   outside   service   requirements, navigational  support  requirements,  combat  system operational  usage,  ship  control  requirements,  emission control conditions, computer program requirements, subsystem   interdependency,   impact   on   computer program  capability,  adverse  weather  conditions,  time requirements,  and  manpower  requirements.  From  these conditions, the quarterly schedule can be developed based  on  the  ship’s  employment  schedule.  Heavy maintenance is usually scheduled during in-port periods and  independent  ship  exercises  during  nonthreat conditions  (particularly  for  those  procedures  requiring long  periods  of  operational  equipment  downtime).  If  the employment schedule changes, the PMS schedule may require  modification.  Daily  and  weekly  schedules  are based on the ship’s readiness condition and operational situation.  Subsystem  interdependence  and  manpower usage are also critical in scheduling. Preventive maintenance management includes the following  requirements: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Ensuring  that  events  take  place  as  scheduled Coordinating   manning   and   equipment availability  for  interdependent  testing Providing adequate safety measures Ensuring  the  availability  of  required  supporting systems Coordinating  the  actions  of  command  and tactical  operation  personnel Ensuring   fault   isolation   and   corrective maintenance   follow-up Ensuring the completion of required reports The  ship’s  CSTOM  contains  readiness  assessment and fault isolation diagrams indicating the test that requires  the  fewest  ship  resources,  verifies  each  combat system  interface  function,  and  aids  the  SERT  in preventive  maintenance  management. READINESS ASSESSMENT REPORTING After  readiness  assessment  is  completed,  readiness status must be reported in a form that is brief and easily understood and that presents a clear picture of the combat  system  effectiveness.  This  is  done  most effectively by addressing the status of a major function as it relates to a mission capability. Figure 4-7 shows a sample  method  of  presenting  a  mission  summary  report of  a  four-state  qualitative  functional  readiness assessment.  This  summary  report  sample  also  provides a  brief  description  of  the  effect  each  subfunction  fault has  on  the  major  fictional.  Supporting  information  on specific subfunction faults related to the summary report sample can be provided in a combat system daily fault report  form.  Figure  4-8  shows  a  sample  method  of presenting daily fault information. Report forms of this type (or a similar type) should be developed by the SERT to fit the ship’s requirements. The combat system daily fault report is the responsibility of the SERT and should 4-18