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

Moisture Failure Mechanisms Abstract Join Kirk and Fred  discuss failure mechanisms caused by or accelerated by moisture. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss how water, especially saltwater, can cause failures. Topics include: Even if you think making an O-ring seal in outdoor equipment will keep moisture out, it will still leak enough […]

Overcomplicating Systems Abstract Greg and Fred discuss how to reduce complexity in life and work. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss how complexity is over complicating our lives and work.   What do you think?  And most importantly, how do you react or respond to complex situations. Topics include: What types of complexity […]

The Boeing Starliner was used to transport a crew of two to the International Space Station (ISS). But there were problems. And it was deemed too unsafe to return them to Earth. So the Starliner returned to Earth without its crew 'safely.' So was it safe? What does it mean to be 'safe?' What does NASA think 'safe' is? What do you think 'safe' is?

The Trouble with Habits Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the issues we often have with ‘habits.’ Habits can be good for us. But ‘bad habits’ are just that. Ever heard the excuse ‘but that’s the way we have always done it?’ Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss how ‘habits’ dominate our lives […]

Design Justice Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss design justice: what it means for engineers in industry. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss design justice from the point of view of design processes in industry. Topics include: How industry relates to design justice ideas. Shifting roles in design. Ways to incorporate design justice […]

Uneasiness with AI Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss sources of uneasiness with AI and its use within industry. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss sources of uneasiness with AI. Topics include: The challenge of AI to authenticity. Integrating AI into our current processes and what that could mean for reliability. The availability […]

Even in non-toxic workplaces, it can be difficult for us individually to take breaks from what we are doing. This can be a small break like a walk, or a holiday. These breaks are crucial as the human brain needs to routinely reset. But this can be hard to justify ... even if we know in principle we are over all better off.

Ever wondered if the number a calculation (or software package giving you that number) is right? You might be surprised to find out that the same data that is fed into different equations or software packages supposed to evaluate the same thing ... give different results! How can this be?

Pace of Facilitating Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the ideal pace for teaching and facilitating teams. Too fast and students or team members cannot keep up. Too slow and the team loses interest. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how to set the right pace for teaching or facilitating teams. Topics include: […]

Reliability Ethics Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the broad subject of reliability ethics, what it means, and how it impacts reliability professionals. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the role of reliability engineers when facing ethical decisions and circumstances. Topics include: The role of company culture in defining acceptable behavior Social barriers […]

Tech Obsolescence Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss long-term reliability and the speed of technological obsolescence. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the rapid pace of technological obsolescence and the need to upgrade devices before they wear out Topics include: One of the most successful computer manufacturers controls both the software operating system […]

Confirmation Bias with HALT Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the problem or benefits of having confirmation bias, where we accept or reject test results based on expectations. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss how confirmation bias may result in misunderstanding of the goals of HALT evaluations. Topics include: We are performing HALT […]

Risk of Persistence Abstract Greg and Fred discuss the risks of persisting in a project or in life when you know there are risks.  In poker terms, “do you hold em’ or fold em’?  What do companies do when they’ve sunk a lot of costs and know the ROI of their project is vaporizing?  What […]

Decline of Quality Abstract Greg and Fred discuss the future of quality and reliability professions.  The average age of the quality professional is getting older.  Fewer people are entering the profession.  So, where is the profession going? Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss what’s happening to quality profession where many products are […]

When we are taught reliability data analysis in very 'sanitized' ways. We get information or data from textbooks that is created to prove teaching points. But real-world data can be messy, mixed up, and challenging to sort in a way where we can get what we need from the data. So how do we practice on real-world data.

The 1,000th Episode Abstract Kirk and Fred and a long-time listener, Nik Sharpe, discuss the long history of doing this podcast from the first Speaking of Reliability podcast SOR #1, “Can you pass HALT?” recorded June 20th, 2015, to this 1000th episode. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss with Nik how and […]

We are often asked as reliability engineers 'how long should something last.' And the premise is that for some types of products, based on the same technologies, there is some 'standard' that outlines how long it should last. Perhaps this is called 'industry best practice.' But the 'industry' is not who you should be listening to ...

Politics is not engineering. But unfortunately, the most 'senior' engineers become 'senior' because of their political skills. Not engineering skills. And it can be really bad in reliability engineering. Sound familiar?

Preparing to Interview Abstract Chris and Fred discuss how to make a good impression when interviewing for a reliability engineering position. How do you prepare? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss what you can do to prepare for a (new?) career in reliability engineering. What can you do to prepare yourself to […]

FMEA and Hazard Analysis Abstract Carl and Fred discuss a reader question about FMEA and Hazard Analysis and whether or not they can be combined into a single analysis. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the difference between FMEA and Hazard Analysis. Topics include: FMEA and Hazard Analysis have some similarity of […]

Hidden Reliability Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the challenges of hidden reliability problems, especially issues that are certain to occur, but not easily observed. When failures are invisible or hidden, they can be missed or ignored. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the importance of making reliability issues visible. Topics include: “If […]

Introducing Risk Management Plan Abstract Greg and Fred discuss why risk is becoming a personal issue to home owners and to all of us.  They discuss aging infrastructure risk, who pays, and how to mitigate these risks. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss infrastructure risks of aging water, sewage, and power systems.  […]

What Happened to Quality? Abstract Greg and Fred discuss quality from engineering and quality points of view.  Greg is developing AI engineering applications.  Greg wants to build, ship, and monetize.  Fred wants to build quality in.  What do you think is the right way? Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss what’s happened […]

Past Good and Bad Knowledge Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the so-called ‘bedrock documents and statistics’ that are used over and over again as if they are universally correct – even though they might have nothing to do with ‘your’ machines or systems. WHY? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss the role […]

What is MLE? Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the three-letter acronym ‘MLE’ stands for? Well, it stands for ‘maximum likelihood estimate.’ Ever heard of it? Do you know what it means? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss what the MLE or ‘maximum likelihood estimate’ means … usually when using software to conduct […]