The Failure and Operational Reporting System (FORS) was developed to meet the need for collecting, organizing and processing critical plant operating and failure experience data. The design of the system is different from that used on other reporting systems; it excludes many conventional reporting functions, providing only for the selective reporting of significant data. An important characteristic of FORS is its flexibility to provide unique plant-specific data for a variety of plants. While the data are intended for use in the detection, analysis, and resolution of particular problems occurring at specific plants, its major purposes are to facilitate inter-plant exchange of technical information on plant design, operation, failure and maintenance and to form a historical data base for use in product improvement and new plant design. The FORS design thus has a strong potential for achieving immediate and practical benefits from a minimum effort at low cost, while at the same time forming the basis for longer range improvements in plant and equipment designs and operating practices.