Degradation Management is a continuous work process. The figure below depicts this process in IMS PLSS.

The continues Degradation Management Work Process as implemented in IMS PLSS.
The FSS Assessment, ILI Comparison, Internal, External and Risk-Based Assessment are conducted on the Equipment level. Equipment subject to the same Degradation Mechanisms are grouped within a System, where the Degradation Mechanisms are defined. Each piece of Equipment contains Barriers designed to protect against the threats posed by these DMs, and therefore requires verification through inspection.