TECHNICAL PUBLICATION UPDATE METHODS

Figure 2-7.—Typical work package task information. TECHNICAL PUBLICATION UPDATE METHODS The usefulness of technical manuals directly relates to how effectively the information reflects the system or equipment configuration and the depth and scope of maintenance data. Changes to equipment occur to improve either mission or maintenance capabilities. Technical manuals must reflect these changes. Technical manuals are updated by two methods—changes and revisions. A change to a technical manual is the official release of new or correction pages to a part or portion of an existing document. It consists of replacement change pages for the area of the manual affected by the change action. Upon issue, the recipient removes the superseded pages and inserts the new pages. This action is required for paper manuals only. A revision is the complete reissue of a replacement manual the change information incorporated. A revision normally takes place when more than 60 percent of the pages are affected by a single change or accumulated changes. A WP consisting of 10 pages or less will always be revised. Types of Publication Changes Changes are authorized and issued on an “as required” basis to periodically update equipment configuration, maintenance concepts, or procedural direction. Changes are also initiated to correct user-detected errors, improve verbiage, or incorporate a “better way.” These types of changes usually result from fleet input through the Technical Publication Deficiency Report (TPDR) System (explained later in this chapter). Changes are issued as either routine or rapid action changes (RACs). A routine change is issued through normal update processes, and is released periodically. A rapid action change is an expedited change action. It is programmed for short turnaround and release because of possible relationship to safety, equipment damage, or danger to personnel. 2-7