Decision Fatigue Abstract Greg and Fred discuss the importance for making smart decisions. The challenge is that after Covid we are all tired of making decisions. So, have we lost our perspective and even our sense of humor in understanding context in making smart decisions. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss decision […]
A Facilitator’s Role Abstract Carl and Fred discussing the essence of a facilitator’s role in leading meetings and reliability methods. This role is discussed from the viewpoint of reliability applications. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the key elements of the facilitator role. What works? What doesn’t work? What skills are involved? […]
A PFMEA Use Question Abstract Carl and Fred discussing an interesting question from a subscriber to the Inside FMEA series. The question has to do with selected process steps on a Process FMEA, and the efficacy and value of the occurrence rating being verified later in pilot assembly or trial production. Key Points Join Carl […]
Reliability data analysis is rarely - by itself - enough. Why? Well, if we are trying to challenge a preconceived idea about something, then we need to respect that it is a human being we are trying to convince. So what can we do?
How do we influence change in organizations that think they are open to change ... but really aren't? Especially when it comes to reliability engineering?
Dealing with Changing Requirements Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing the dynamics of changing a design during the development process. The longer it takes to develop a new product the longer it allows the competitors to introduce new features and functions, which may have more market appeal than your products features right as your finishing development. […]
Connect Activity to Business Objectives Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing a basic question Fred asks in the Reliability Management Class and with new clients, that is “what are you trying to accomplish” with your reliability program, Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the objectives reliability and business and connecting those objectives to […]
We Are All Consultants Abstract Carl and Fred discussing how much of what we do as reliability professionals falls into the role of consultants. Learning how to be better consultants will enhance the results of our day-to-day work. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss their experiences as consultants and how they were […]
Transferring Knowledge Abstract Carl and Fred discussing the process of knowledge transfer from one person to others. This process is at the core of influencing others to achieve reliability objectives. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how to transfer your knowledge to other people, and conversely, how to support knowledge transfer from […]
Manager and Leader Abstract Greg and Fred discuss the importance of management and leadership. They cover the similarities and differences between the two. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss the future of management and leadership. Both have changed radically following Covid. This is important because in today’s ‘great resignation’ workers are leaving […]
Why Do Networking Abstract Greg and Fred discuss the importance and challenges of networking. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss the future of networking and even influencing that can positively impact your career. Topics include: What does networking look like in the post covid world? Why is networking important for your present […]
Training that Sticks Abstract Dianna and Fred discussing training that sticks. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss what makes successful training and consider it from teacher/coach and student point-of-views. “Who is responsible for learning?” Topics include: grades: getting a great grade but not learning anything is less than useful a student approach […]
Independent Design Reviewer Abstract Dianna and Fred discussing design reviews and independent reviewers. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss a question: “How important are independent reviewers to a design review, and what is their general purpose for the design review process?” Topics include: responsibilities of being an independent reviewer and of the […]
Too Many Meetings Abstract Dianna and Fred discussing how to get next steps when being presented a problem by quality assurance. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss a listener question: Our QA team holds meetings to track items and problems, but they’re not helpful in finding solutions. What can I do? Topics […]
Who is responsible for reliability? Is it your suppliers who ought to be subject matter experts on making whatever it is they make? Is it the junior engineers who have completed engineering degrees and therefore should know how to make something reliable? Is it the people who write standards and textbooks and guidebooks that you mandate everyone to follow? ... or perhaps ... is it you?
Confidence from Understanding Abstract Chris and Fred discuss what this term ‘confidence’ means … especially when it comes to statistics (and reliability) Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss what ‘confidence’ means … especially when we do things like statistical analysis to help us understand the reliability characteristics of a system or product. […]
Training Everyone for Risk Management Abstract Greg and Fred discussing risk management training for all employees. Key Points Join Fred and Greg as they discuss how risk management is like quality in 1987, when Baldrige, ISO 9001, and Six Sigma were launched. We live in VUCA time. Companies now are training everyone in risk to […]
Decision Making for Reliability Abstract Greg and Fred discussing risk based, decision making for reliability and quality engineers. Key Points Join Fred and Greg as they discuss decision making in reliability, quality, and engineering. Good decision making may be the key personal differentiator for all engineers in an age when a work smart phone will […]
What Matters in a Demonstration Test? Abstract Carl and Fred discussing a listener question about how which failures to count in demonstration testing. Specifically, what about maintenance induced failures, supply chain failures and other types of failures, not typically part of the product design. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss reliability demonstration […]
Fast vs Thorough Abstract Carl and Fred discussing the need to be fast in smaller or startup companies. Reliability engineering can adapt to a fast culture and support lean product development, without compromising essential tasks. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the product development process in small companies, balancing the need to […]
Software packages and textbook methods can often give us a single 'number' that tells us how good a potential model is (or not) for the data we get from observing a process. But ... you need to understand that this is by no means a 'perfect' way of trying to understand your process. Relying on software to think for you means that you don't understand what is going on. And that means your analysis won't be based on an understanding of what is going on either.
We often try and 'engineer' reliable solutions. We find technological solutions to as many failures as possible. But it can only go so far - mainly because there is usually a human involved in most systems.
Problem Solving with Customer Service Abstract Dianna and Fred discussing customer service: personal and professional experiences. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss problem solving with customer service. Topics include: partnering with a customer service agent when you’re the customer coordinating with the customer service department when you’re an engineer at the same […]
Encouraging New Engineers Abstract Dianna and Fred discussing why and how to encourage new engineers and foster younger generations to consider engineering as a profession. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss how to get new generations involved in engineering. Topics include: Getting active in youth programs. Fostering curiosity by letting others do […]
Dealing with Suppliers Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing dealing with suppliers in dealing with failures in complex interconnected systems. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the many different responses and challenges that different subsystem suppliers can have when trying to get their help with a reliability issue. Topics include: Much of a […]
Talking about HALT Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing a basic subject that Kirk has been speaking about for over three decades, Highly Accelerated Life Testing (HALT) and carrying the ideas of Gregg Hobbs, Ph.D. who termed the acronym and methodology Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss a subject that is a new […]
Reliability engineers need to deal with 'incomplete data.' Incomplete data is not bad. It is common. So we need to get used to dealing with. So what is 'incomplete data' and how do we use it?
We all want something to be safe. But what does it mean to be 'safe?' The safest thing you can do is ... nothing! Just stay in bed and you are less likely to be murdered, killed in a car crash et cetera. But this doesn't really work. So again ... what does it mean to be 'safe?'
Fitting into a Risk Program Abstract Greg and Fred discussing how risk assessment must be tailored to the context of the organization. Key Points Join Fred and Greg as they discuss how risk management is becoming essential knowledge, skills, and abilities for all quality and reliability professionals. Topics include: How risk assessment should be tailored […]
Risk Assessments Abstract Greg and Fred discussing how and why to conduct risk assessments. Key Points Join Fred and Greg as they discuss risk assessments. ISO defines a risk assessment as: 1. Risk identification; 2. Risk analysis and 3. Risk evaluation. Risk assessments must be tailored to the context and organization level. Focus the risk […]
