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

Design reviews can sometimes be awful. And this can often occur when we focus religiously on 'meeting requirements.' We only meet requirements at the end of the design process - so what do we talk about during the 17 design reviews that happen before then? Sometimes we devolve into a courtroom where the design team leads are presumed 'guilty' of something and need to convince the judges that they...

Safety and Reliability Abstract Carl and Fred discussing the tools of safety and reliability engineering, and how these tools overlap. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the broad set of tools within the body of knowledge of reliability engineering, and the value or lack of value in categorizing the tools into subsets. […]

Safety – Binary or Variable Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the subject of safety. Specifically whether an item or device can be considered safe or not safe (binary), or whether there are degrees of safety (variable). Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the concept of developing and verifying safe products. Topics include: […]

There is a huge difference between 'making' reliability and 'checking' reliability. We can't just assume that because we rigorously 'check' reliability that this will procedurally imply that someone else will 'make' reliability. This is like driving your car using the rear vision mirror only. Trying to guide an engineering team on what you 'do want' is not simply telling them what you 'don't want'...

Supply Chain Controls and Checks Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing how we can insure we receive outsourced parts meet our requirements when we may not know what variances in specifications will affect your particular system. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss supply chain issues and controlling potential quality excursions Topics include: Each […]

Kitchen Appliance Failure Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing a recent failure of an electric range/oven and the troubleshooting, FA and repair. See the show notes to see photos and details of the failure analysis. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the process of finding the cause of the range/oven failure. You can […]

Wright’s Law and Reliability Abstract Chris and Fred discuss this thing called ‘Wright’s Law’ which is a really fascinating way of describing how things improve as we create more of them. And why is this relevant for reliability engineering? Does ‘reliability growth’ ring a bell? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss Wright’s […]

Maintenance Culture Matters Abstract Chris and Fred discuss how important maintenance culture is – especially when it comes to safety-critical systems. Like ‘cable cars’ used to transport people up ski slopes. But unfortunately (like the recent accident that occurred in Italy that resulted in 14 deaths) toxic maintenance culture can lead to disastrous consequences. And […]

We are often interested in studying random phenomena ... like failure. And we often like using probability distributions to help us do this study. And these distributions have parameters that define the nature of that probability distribution. So what doe these parameters mean?

Giving and Receiving Feedback Abstract Carl and Fred discussing the topic of giving and receiving feedback, and how it supports professional development. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss Topics include: Feedback aspects: giving, receiving, mandatory (like annual performance reviews) and voluntary (upon request) Feedback is better when it is specific Be open […]

Keeping up with Reliability Tools Abstract Carl and Fred discussing a listener summitted question: When one’s job is focused on a single area of reliability, how does one keep up with advancements ones own area, as well as the entire field of reliability engineering? Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the length […]

Reliability engineers rely on using 'words' to convey meaning. We come up with 'common' words and 'common' definitions so that we don't need to explain the concept of each term we use. When I say 'failure mode' I want the person I am talking to to know what a 'failure mode' is. But unfortunately, this rarely happens. There are so many competing definitions out there, and too many time-wasting argu...

When we want to do 'reliability testing' in a short period of time, we often use 'accelerated testing.' Which means we sometimes need to know 'acceleration factors' to be able to convert the information we learn in 'accelerated' conditions back to actual use conditions. But there are some tricks to this!

Leading Teams Abstract Carl and Fred discussing the essence of team leadership. Reliability engineers need to add effective team leadership to their core set of skills. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss leading teams, and the skills and key elements of team leadership. Topics include: Help team members make their best decisions […]

661 Management vs Leadership Abstract Carl and Fred discussing what it means to be a leader, and how the principles of leadership go beyond the traditional roles of management. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the role of leadership in reliability programs, and why it matters to reliability engineers. Topics include: What […]

Reliability engineering often feels like lots of effort with precious few outcomes. Why is that? Listen to this podcast to learn more!

Fault Tree Analysis or FTA appears in lots of textbooks, guidebooks and standards. But depending on the textbook, guidebook or standard ... FTA might be presented in a certain 'flavor.' But there are lots of different flavors of FTA, meaning they might be a lot more useful for many problems you weren't previously aware of.

Equipment Life Expectations Abstract James and Fred discussing the many variables that impact equipment expected lifetimes. Key Points Join James and Fred as they discuss Topics include: A brief description of the Design for Maintenance book that James is a co-author. Trying to estimate how long equipment should last Impact of maintenance practices on equipment […]

Evolution and Reliability Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing the evolution of technology and reliability in consumer products. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss reasons people are motivated to replace old technologies with new technologies. Topics include: Many people prefer sticking with older technology that has been proved reliable over learning to use […]

Reliability is Green Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing a recent opinion article in the New York Times on technology waste. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the challenge of the rapid introduction of new technologies and disposal of the old technology. Topics include: Sometimes we look for an excuse to upgrade to […]

Many organizations are 'reactive.' They spend most of their resources 'fighting fires.' Even when they know they want to change to a 'proactive reliability organization' ... it is hard to do. Sound like your organization?

Reliability Starts at the Top Abstract Chris and Fred discuss how reliability starts at the top of every organization. And by that, we mean … leadership. What does that mean? How can the CEO be more important for reliability performance than the reliability engineer with decades of experience and post-graduate qualifications? Key Points Join Chris […]

More Than One Root Cause Abstract Carl and Fred discussing the subject of root cause. How many “root causes” can there be? Is there only one “root cause” for a problem? What about events or conditions that happen in tandem? Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how many events or conditions can […]

Reliability and Risk Management Abstract Carl and Fred discussing the relationship of reliability and risk management, including areas of overlap and linkages. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the body of knowledge of reliability and how it relates to risk management. Definition of “risk” Technical risk vs business risk Preparation can reduce […]

Suspected or Known Problem Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing the challenge of finding a latent problem in a product after your company has been producing and selling for some time. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss dealing with a latent reliability problem that may exist in a certain percentage of the product […]