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

It is useful to understand how you get to where you are today to help you get to where you want to go tomorrow. The same applies to reliability. World War II in particular played an instrumental role in creating what has since come to be known as reliability engineering. And some lessons are still relevant today.

Why do we make assumptions? Because they give us information for free. This is often really useful, especially if you have a fair amount of experience or expertise on a particular topic or area. But we often like making assumptions that make our life easy. And this is really bad.

Regulation Reducing Safety Abstract Greg and Fred discuss conformity assessment and what should and can you do to comply with a regulatory requirement. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss safety regulations and compliance to standards. Topics include: What is conformity assessment? Why is conformity assessment important? How can you demonstrate compliance? What […]

Improving Information Abstract Greg and Fred discuss how to improve your ability to get the right information to solve the right problems. Key Points Join Fred and Greg as they discuss how to focus on the right information if you’re doing an analysis, surveillance, or audit. Topics include: Do you ask the right questions to […]

You might have heard of Monte Carlo simulation. This might sound advanced, or challenging, or beyond your skills. It's not! In fact, Monte Carlo simulation can do a really good job of modeling really, really complex things really easily. Want to learn more? Listen to this podcast.

We are often pestered into 'measuring' reliability before we start 'improving' reliability. Measuring can be important ... but it is only important if it will help you make a decision. So, start with understanding the decision you are trying to inform.

Lifespan of an FMEA Abstract Carl and Fred discuss a reader question about what is called a “living FMEA.” Is this a good idea? How is it done? Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss whether to update FMEAs with test and field information on an ongoing basis. Topics include: An updated FMEA […]

RCM and FMEAs Abstract Carl and Fred discuss a reader question on FMEAs that involve maintenance. Specifically, can a Design FMEA have causes that are maintenance related? Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss Reliability Centered Maintenance, and the role that FMEA plays in doing RCM projects. Topics include: RCM includes an FMEA […]

Details and Plans Abstract Greg and Fred discuss why and how the triple constraints of a project: schedule, cost, and scope variances result in risks that can result in project failure. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss schedule risk, cost risk, and scope risk.  Topics include: What are schedule, cost, and scope risks? […]

Plug and Pray Abstract Greg and Fred discuss why engineers plug numbers into a formula not really knowing why or what they are doing.  At best, this is called ‘plug and play.’  At worst, this is called ‘plug and pray’ the formula works. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss the challenges of […]