Abstract
This paper reviews available methods for supportability design, and proposes a new framework of supportability system engineering (SSE), which includes the concept of supportability and SSE, determination of supportability requirements, design of supportability, design and establishment of the corresponding support system, test and evaluation of supportability objectives and requirements, operation and improvement of the corresponding support system, and management of SSE. The framework will emphasize solving problems from the overall system point of view using the system engineering approach, multidisciplinary design optimization and trade-off, multidisciplinary teams' coordination and cooperation, as well as the balance between operation, design and support concepts. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]