Sources and impacts of obsolescence

Obsolescence is complex to grasp, insofar as it affects not only the users of a product, but also the manufacturers involved in its definition, design, production and maintenance. It can affect a product or a system, but also a concept or know-how.

The consequences of obsolescence spread from person to person, and can have a lasting impact on product operation. Thus, through the intermediary of an obsolete component or element, obsolescence can spread to a product that uses this component. It can also impact a product's manufacturing, support or testing system. Conversely, the obsolescence of a contributing system (such as a machine tool), used to manufacture a product, may lead to the obsolescence of the manufactured product.

Obsolescence occurs for a variety of reasons (resource scarcity, changes in regulations, loss of use, economic considerations,...