OPTIMIZING TEST PROCEDURES FOR A SUBJECT UNDER TEST

In a computer-implemented method of optimizing a diagnostic test sequence to diagnose a medical condition of a subject. A group of diagnostic tests related to a symptom is determined from a pool of diagnostic tests. A probabilistic failure mode analysis is conducted to determine the efficacy of each of the diagnostic tests based on historical outcomes of actual diagnostic testing. The comparative utility of each diagnostic tests based on a plurality of factors that can affect problem resolution is analyzed. A weight is assigned to each factor involved in the probabilistic failure mode analysis. The diagnostic tests are ordered based upon at least one of: a probability of the diagnostic test identifying a cause of the failure mode in a minimum amount of time; a probability of the diagnostic test identifying the cause of the failure mode at a minimum cost; and a relative weighting of minimizing time versus minimizing cost. A first diagnostic test is selected from the group based at least in part on a probabilistic failure mode analysis and the weighted factors involved therein.