Component Assessment The life of a component is influenced by a number of factors including:- material properties operating temperature operating stresses environment The uncertainty associated with these factors can result in wide variation in the potential life e.g. an  increase of 10 deg C in operating temperature will shorten the life of a component by about 50%.  In a preliminary assessment uncertainty is accounted for by adopting pessimistic assumptions for many of the factors for example assuming lower bound material properties. Life estimates can be improved by refining inputs such as installing thermocouples to monitor metal temperatures, detailed stress analysis using finite element analysis and even material sampling to determine actual material properties. An alternative approach is to use a probabilistic method  involving distributions in the main inputs rather than single conservative inputs. Whether it is a preliminary review of a units components, a refined analysis for a more accurate assessment or a probabilistic approach CIS will advise which is the most appropriate for any situation.