Speaking Of Reliability: Friends Discussing Reliability Engineering Topics | Warranty | Plant Maintenance

Fault trees are very useful ways to visualize the logical relationship between events ... like which combinations of components need to fail for a system to fail, or which potential root causes need to occur for an undesirable event to occur. We tend to teach fault trees to unsuspecting students to solve only one type of problem ... and this is wrong! Want to learn more?

Dismissing Failures Abstract Chris and Fred discuss a common problem of dismissing or ignoring failures, especially when they don’t fit your ‘profile.’ Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss the problems and hazards that arise when a failure occurs and is ignored. This can be tricky, as it can sometimes be hard to […]

Join Enrico and Fred as they discuss the pros, cons, and pitfalls of designing and running a test that has no failures, or does.

Traditional Reliability Methods Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss a question from a listener about why traditional reliability methods don’t work for modern electronics. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss why traditional methods, such as those based on prediction using classical references like Military Handbook 217F don’t work with today’s electronics.. Topics include: […]

Adhesives Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the reliability issues around using adhesives to attach mechanical assemblies. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the use of adhesives and testing the long-term reliability of adhesive bonds. Topics include: Mismatched coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) pose a significant challenge for attaching glass, metals, and polymers. […]

How do you take into consideration the number 'starts and stops' your item goes through during it's life when it comes to characterizing reliability? It's important ... but are there any rules that can help?

It turns out that electric vehicle (EV) batteries appear to be lasting longer than the laboratory tests the manufacturers use suggest they will. Why is this? Has something changed? ... or is there something wrong with the laboratory testing? ... or something else?

How to use data from connected devices for derivation of mission profiles Abstract Enrico and Fred discuss the value of using real-world usage data to define mission profiles, advocating for a shift from deterministic to stochastic approaches. They touch on the impact of environmental conditions, the risk of selection bias in data analysis, and weigh […]

Intermittent failures are failures that come and go. They often leave no physical trace to investigate. So what do you do?

It takes a lot of work (and money) to get a PhD in anything. But is it worth it in the world of reliability engineering? Many reliability engineers are 'self taught' or have completed lower level courses. So ... what's the point?

Long-form Reading Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss long-form reading. Is it in decline? Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss long-form reading. Topics include: the impact of the digital age on our ability to focus. why detailed reports and documentation are essential for engineering and reliability work. the risks of relying on checklists […]

Using RBD Effectively Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss using RBD Effectively. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss using RBD Effectively. Topics include: the key to effectively using reliability block diagrams (RBDs) for new programs. how to start simple with RBDs for team collaboration. how RBDs can be a powerful tool for driving […]

A Good Reliability Engineer Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss a simple question of what being a practical and sound reliability engineer means. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the different aspects of reliability engineering and what they need to be a good reliability engineer Topics include: The results of effective reliability development […]

Confidence Reliability Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the term “confidence” and its use in reliability engineering Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss confidence in predicted failure distributions and the use of reliability engineering. Topics include: Knowing how and why a system fails, such as a modem, and the variations in the environmental […]

Reliability and Safety Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the difference between the body of knowledge of reliability and safety, and how they work together. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the different roles and responsibilities of reliability and safety activities. Topics include: What is anticipated misuse of a product, and how is […]

A Curse of Reliability Engineers Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the importance of reliability engineering and customer service working together to increase reliability and safety from the customer point of view. It is very important to understand how customers actually use your product, and customer service staff are uniquely positioned to provide that insight. Key […]

The Testing Strategy Abstract Enrico and Fred discuss a couple of ways to approach planning reliability testing. Key Points Join Enrico and Fred as they discuss a question about testing everything or not. Topics include: Testing is expensive and must create a meaningful result. One approach is to test everything – difficult, time-consuming, etc. Another […]

How important are 'reliability goals'? Very. How damaging are random phrases (intentions, objectives, sentiments) that sound like 'reliability goals' but aren't? Very.

How did the Reliability and Maintainability Symposium (RAMS) 2025 go? Fred and Chris talk about it for this year!

Building a Reliability Team Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss building a reliability team. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss building a reliability team. Topics include: the difference between being a manager and building/leading a team. why a reliability program should not rely on one person. the importance of business risk and how […]

Complex AI Reliability Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss complex AI reliability. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss complex AI reliability: using AI for complex systems. Topics include: the pitfalls of trusting AI without proper validation and monitoring. how small errors in AI decision-making can compound and lead to unreliable outcomes. why good […]

Reliability Engineer or No Abstract Enrico and Fred discuss about the role of the reliability engineer in modern organizations. Key Points Join Fred and Enrico in an engaging conversation about the evolving role of the reliability engineer in organizations and the broader question: Should reliability engineering be a dedicated function, or should it be integrated […]

Value of Failures Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss how many companies discard or never get back failed parts or subsystems even though they are high-value gold in the quest to make a more reliable product. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss why so few companies realize the value of field failure returns, […]

Reliability Tradeoffs Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the tradeoffs involved in developing a reliable product. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss how, during product development, we have to limit the amount of robustness we can achieve so that it is on schedule and cost-competitive. Topics include: HALT is to find weaknesses in […]

Service Life Requirements Abstract Enrico and Fred discuss one of the most critical questions in reliability engineering. Key Points Join Enrico and Fred in an engaging discussion on one of the most critical questions in reliability engineering: How long should a product last? In this episode, we dive into the factors that shape reliability targets, […]