What does a 'Reliability Block Diagram' do in RCM?

A 'Reliability Block Diagram' serves to visually represent the reliability relationships among system components. This tool is essential in the context of Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) because it allows practitioners to model how different parts of a system interact and contribute to overall system reliability. By illustrating the dependencies and performance of individual components, the diagram helps in understanding how failures can impact system performance. This visual representation is instrumental in identifying critical components whose reliability is vital to maintaining the desired level of service and performance.

The first option focuses on costs, which are typically analyzed through other methods rather than represented in a reliability block diagram. The third option refers to regulatory requirements, which are generally documented in compliance frameworks rather than visual tools like block diagrams. The fourth option involves maintenance timelines, which are tracked through scheduling tools, not through reliability modeling. Thus, the correct choice highlights the primary function of the Reliability Block Diagram in mapping out the reliability intactness of a system's constituents.