Trick Questions Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss questions that can reveal some job candidates’ knowledge or lack of understanding of new product reliability development Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss which questions and how to ask them in a potential reliability engineering position can distinguish those who really understand the process of […]
Getting Hired Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the process of finding a job in Reliability Engineering Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss some of the best ways to get into a job that fits with your skills. Topics include: Don’t wait until you need a new job to start connecting with others and […]
Setting up a reliability team sounds like progress—but it often delivers very little. In this episode, Chris and Fred unpack what actually makes a reliability team effective, starting with a simple truth: structure doesn’t matter nearly as much as culture. Instead of focusing on org charts or tools, they explain why reliability must be embedded in decision-making across the organization. The discussion also highlights how to find quick wins—whether through early testing, simple process improveme...
Presenting Skills Abstract Carl and Fred share their experiences in presenting, what they have learned, what is most important in achieving excellent presentations. Key Points Join Carl and Fred, as they discuss the length and breadth of presenting. This is a large subject, so many different aspects are covered in the podcast. Topics include: Don’t […]
Getting and Giving Feedback Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the role of receiving feedback in improving one’s ability to implement the various reliability tasks and methods. They also cover how to give feedback to others, so it is most meaningful. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they continue to discuss the “soft” skills that […]
Leaving a Team Better Off Abstract Mojan and Fred discuss how reliability engineers can be most supportive in organizations to enable the most value-extraction from them and the team. Key Points Building on the discussion from episode 1138, Mojan and Fred dive into the ultimate measure of a successful Reliability Engineer: making oneself redundant. They […]
What is In it For Them Abstract Mojan and Fred discuss the benefits of Design for Reliability and how to demonstrate them. Key Points Join Mojan and Fred as they tackle the fundamental question in reliability engineering: How do you demonstrate the value of Design for Reliability (DfR) when the benefits are problems that never occurred? […]
Podcast Listens Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the almost 10 years of Speaking of Reliability podcasts and podcasting in general. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the world of podcasting and the data about listeners and podcast popularity. Topics include: Even though we can know how many subscribers downloaded our podcast, we […]
Early Life Failures Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the impact of early life failures on the customer Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss how failures after a customer starts to have confidence in a product it fails, is the most costly and frustrating for the customer Topics include: Out-of-the-box failures can be […]
Pitfalls of Reliability Testing Abstract Enrico and Fred discuss an array of problems that may arise with reliability testing. Key Points Join Enrico and Fred as they discuss reliability testing and problems that may leads to faulty results. Topics include: Accelerated testing and poor acceleration factor models Too few samples to get a meaningful result […]
“Build, test, fix” sounds like a sensible approach—but in practice, it often leads to poor reliability outcomes. In this episode, Chris and Fred explain how many organizations misuse testing as a late-stage checkpoint instead of a tool for learning. When testing is treated as something that happens “later,” engineers disengage from reliability during design, and critical issues are discovered too late to fix effectively. The discussion reframes testing as a way to reduce uncertainty, uncover fai...
Statistics can feel intimidating—but avoiding it is far more dangerous. In this episode, Chris and Fred explore whether reliability engineers really need to understand statistics, and what that actually means in practice. The discussion highlights a common problem: engineers relying on software tools and “best fit” models without understanding the assumptions behind them. This can lead to misleading conclusions and poor decisions. Instead, the focus shifts to practical statistical thinking—under...
AI & Reliability Use Abstract Philip and Fred discuss a few ideas around using AI for reliability work. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss how Philip has jumped into using AI for many reliability tasks. Topics include: Creating apps or scripts to accomplish routine tasks quickly Dealing with very, very large dataset […]
Selecting Tests Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss the critical process of selecting appropriate reliability tests, maximizing value while avoiding the common pitfalls of over-testing or testing the wrong parameters. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss selecting tests, maximizing value while avoiding the common pitfalls of over-testing or testing the wrong parameters. Topics […]
Capturing Value Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss capturing value, documenting the cost of unreliability, and speaking the language of management. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss the often-overlooked necessity for reliability and quality engineers to quantify value, document the cost of unreliability, and speak the language of management. Topics include: Why quantifying […]
Today’s New Reliability Challenge Abstract Mojan and Fred discuss the range of new challenges facing reliability engineering work. Key Points Join Mojan and Fred as they discuss today’s reliability challenges that face today’s reliability engineers and teams. Topics include: Many are challenges that rhythm with the challenges in the past, like shorter development times and […]
Reliability ≠ Testing Abstract Mojan and Fred discuss the idea that a product’s reliability is not the same as doing reliability testing. Key Points Join Mojan and Fred as they discuss the importance of not confusing testing with a product’s actual reliability. Topics include: A product’s reliability exists whether or not we perform any testing. […]
Understanding Assumptions Abstract Carl and Fred discuss why it essential for reliability engineers to understand the assumptions that go into any reliability activity. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the broad subject of assumptions. What are they? When are they needed? Why are they important? Topics include: How often do assumptions go […]
Good and Bad Meetings Abstract Carl and Fred discuss what makes some meetings really useful and others a waste of time. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how to lead or participate in effective meetings. Topics include: Classes are available on how to run excellent meetings. Leading or participating in effective meetings […]
Roofing Material Failure Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the recent failure of his roofing tiles and the testing that should have been done for roofing materials that will be used in all geographical locations. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss how his roofing failed and the manufacturer going out of business Topics […]
The Future of HALT Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the future of Highly Accelerated Limit Testing (HALT), which is not a life test, despite its initial designation. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss how HALT may evolve in the future with the combination of AI. Topics include: First, Fred and I would […]
From MTBF to AI – Rapid Fire Reliability Questions Abstract Mojan and Fred discuss a range of topics in a rapid-fire fashion. Key Points This episode takes a rapid-fire approach to some of the most debated questions in reliability engineering — from “zero failures” to AI’s role in failure prediction. We share quick takes, counterpoints, […]
The Right to Repair Abstract Mojan and Fred discuss the Right to Repair and how the balance between reparability, reliability, and customer experience. Key Points Join Mojan and Fred as they discuss The Right to Repair movement raises a tricky question: how much reparability should companies really design for? In this episode, we dig into […]
The Role of Stories Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the role of stories in conveying principles to others. At first, it may not come easily; but it is an essential part of good communication, and well worth the effort. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how to leverage stories to enhance reliability […]
Asking Questions Abstract Carl and Fred discuss another of the communication skills: how to use questions in your reliability practice. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss different ways to ask questions to connect with people, and explore information. Topics include: How you can learn by questioning Back and forth between the skills […]
If you furiously measure the wrong thing, you usually have furious customers. EV charging stations are routinely reported as having a 99 % uptime. But customers don't share this view of the charging station performance. And it comes down to getting reliability metrics right.
Redundancy and Culture Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the role redundancy plays in an organization’s culture … especially one that needs to maintain redundant systems and plants. Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss how having redundancy (or perceived redundancy) in a system has on the culture of the people who use, operate, […]
Supplier Trust Issues Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss supplier trust issues Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss trusting your suppliers of components and systems to send you reliable parts. Topics include: Suppliers of small, discreet electronic components such as diodes, resistors, MLCC (Multi layer Ceramic capacitors) may have hundreds of customers using […]
What Counts as a Failure? Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the analysis of what can or should be considered a failure. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the criteria for what constitutes a failure during testing and in the customer’s use. Topics include: Should all failures be counted? Many failures are apparent, […]
DFMEA and Assumptions Abstract Carl and Fred discuss a listener question about the assumptions that go into a Design FMEA, relating to manufacturing and assembly. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss assumptions that go into FMEAs, how they are determined and applied. Topics include: Question: if the product meets dimensions, do we […]
