We surely want to improve the MTBF of a system. If we do, it means it fails less often. But why do we keep saying it is 'bad'? Well that is because the MTBF is a vastly oversimplified metric that sounds like 'reliability' (it isn't) that seems to infect so many reliability engineering activities and analyses that actually get in the way of improving the overall MTBF. Confused? Listen to this podcast.
What Counts Abstract Carl and Fred discuss a listener question about what type of field or test issues to count when assessing or estimating reliability in a project. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how to collect and maintain field and test data when calculating or estimating reliability. Topics include: Do you […]
Facilitator and Deep Understanding Abstract Carl and Fred discuss an Inside FMEA reader question: “does a facilitator have to have a deep understanding of the subject matter they are facilitating?” Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the level of knowledge a facilitator must have about there subject being facilitated, in order to […]
Influence vs Facilitation Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss influence vs. facilitation and the difficulty of trying to do both at once. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss influence vs. facilitation, comparing the roles of when you are a contributor vs. facilitating with peers. Topics include: The need to be a facilitator when […]
8D with ‘G’ Abstract Dianna and Fred introduce a special guest, ‘G’, and talk about the 8 Disciplines method of problem solving. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss 8D with ‘G’, Google’s AI assistant. Topics include: Problem solving and the benefits of a structured approach like 8D (8 Disciplines) The hardest parts […]
Do you work in an organization where the design team never speaks to the manufacturing team? ... or where the design team keeps complaining that the manufacturing team only tells them what they can't do? ... or vice versa? ... or do you have another team that essentially redesigns everything to make it manufacturable? Listen to this podcast ...
What happens if we (think) we need to find the reliability of something with a small amount of data? What do we do? How do we find a number? How does this number help?
Influence – How to Get It & How to Keep It! Abstract Greg and Fred discuss how to influence decision makers to get your ideas adopted and deployed. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss how to get your reliability and quality objectives adopted into a project. Influencing topics include: What are the […]
Do it Right the First Time Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the risks to reliability of having to rework or human handling of circuit boards and rework in general. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss process control and hand soldering and how it increases the reliability risk compared to the original production […]
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 […]
