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. Play EpisodePor Kirk Gray

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 do you do when you know you’re losing. Fight on. Or, walk away. Th…

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? Play EpisodePor Greg Hutchins

Practice Data Sets Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the ability to get ‘data sets’ to practice reliability analysis on! … sounds like a party … Play EpisodePor Christopher Jackson

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. Play EpisodePor Kirk Gray

Product Life Time Abstract Chris and Fred discuss how long stuff lasts! … or how long something should last! … how do you ‘know’ what it should be? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they respond to a question from one of our listeners about how long something should last. Specifically, our listener proposed that the lifetime of a product should be …

Reliability and Politics Abstract Chris and Fred discuss how reliability can sometimes be linked to politics (… at least in some way). Is this an experience you share? Play EpisodePor Christopher Jackson

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? Play EpisodePor Christopher Jackson

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. Play EpisodePor Carl S. Carlson

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…

Introducing Risk Management Plan Abstract Greg and Fred discuss why risk is becoming a personal issue to home owners and to all of us. They discuss aging infrastructure risk, who pays, and how to mitigate these risks. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss infrastructure risks of aging water, sewage, and power systems. Topics include: What a…

What Happened to Quality? Abstract Greg and Fred discuss quality from engineering and quality points of view. Greg is developing AI engineering applications. Greg wants to build, ship, and monetize. Fred wants to build quality in. What do you think is the right way? Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss what’s happened to quality from criti…

Past Good and Bad Knowledge Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the so-called ‘bedrock documents and statistics’ that are used over and over again as if they are universally correct – even though they might have nothing to do with ‘your’ machines or systems. WHY? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss the role that documents that are quoted as …

What is MLE? Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the three-letter acronym ‘MLE’ stands for? Well, it stands for ‘maximum likelihood estimate.’ Ever heard of it? Do you know what it means? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss what the MLE or ‘maximum likelihood estimate’ means … usually when using software to conduct data analysis. Topics incl…

Impact of IoT on Maintenance Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) on maintenance and the data feedback to the manufacturer on usage and failure data. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss on the new capabilities of products to connect with the Internet and how they open up more detailed and widespread de…

No Trouble Found Issue Abstract Kirk and Fred delve into the crucial topic of managing returned parts and products, even those that are functioning perfectly. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss why parts or products returned to the manufacturer seem to have no failure on their test bench. Topics include: The cost of production loss can b…

Difference Between Quality and Reliability Statistics Abstract Philip and Fred discuss some of the basic differences and similarities between these two types of statistical toolsets. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss why it’s best to fully understand and use all the available statistial tools when faced with either quality or reliabil…

Dealing with Missing Data Abstract Philip and Fred discuss a few challenges and approaches to deal with missing data. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss what can be done when a dataset has missing data. Topics include: Data collection and storage issues Dealing with data points within the overall dataset Dealing with missing left censo…

Pushing the Limits Abstract Greg and Fred discuss pushing the limits for personal and professional development. Greg discusses wearing a pink tutu to Oregon Country Faire and Burning Man. Fred discusses pushing the limits for product testing and product development. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss pushing personal, design, and testing…

Pursuing Ribbons Abstract Greg and Fred discuss the importance of the pursuit of ribbons. What are ribbons? They are the badges, degrees, brands, and certificates that we all strive for. They confer knowledge, skills, and abilities to others. They are the things of life that we do for personal improvement and enrichment. Greg believes the pursuit o…

Instead of Reliability Prediction Abstract Chris and Fred discuss reliability prediction and how it can relate to the ‘design’ phase when there is no data. How do you ‘predict reliability?’ Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss what reliability prediction is. There are quite a few answers to this question … and some of them can be helpful!…

Good Reliability Testing Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the difference between good and poor reliability testing. Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss what makes a meaningful and valuable reliability test. And more importantly, how to use test results to make valuable decisions. And to make a decision – you need to read the reports! Topi…

High Precision Planning and Maintenance Abstract Philip and Fred discuss new shiny objects and why digital twins and IIOT will not solve your core problems. High Precision Planning (HPP) supports High Precision Maintenance (HPM) which is a program running in elite industries today. The emphasis on HPP is an absolute requirement to achieve HPM. The …

Asset Management vs Performance Abstract Philip and Fred discuss the important differences between Asset Management “Systems” and “Asset Performance”. Philip has been teaching at the university level for over 10 years as an industry expert and has concluded that adherence to Asset Management System and certification does not equate into great asset…

Effect and Likelihood Abstract Carl and Fred discuss a listener question on FMEA, about reducing the severity level through mitigation strategy. Specifically, can FMEA reduce the likelihood of the effect of failure? Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how FMEA deals with mitigation of the Effect of failure. Topics include: How design chan…

Conveying FMEA Results Abstract Carl and Fred discuss an interesting listener question. The listener’s management asked him to create an “eye-popping” chart that summarizes the results on an FMEA. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how best to share the results of an FMEA with management or engineering. The emphasis is on visually convey…

Supply Management and Context Abstract Greg and Fred discuss why today’s business model is often based on managing an organization’s brand and outsourcing design, reliability, and quality. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss supply context and risk. Topics include: Changes in today’s business and operating models. Changes in how suppliers…

Telling the Boss NO Abstract Greg and Fred discuss work communications and job politics. Greg takes the management point of view. Fred advocates the individual contributor point of view. Key Points Have you ever told your boss ‘NO’? Join Greg and Fred as they discuss boss requirements and individual work expectations. Topics include: How to share b…

Reliability in a Short Term Org Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the problems we experience when we are in an organization with very ‘short-term’ thinking. What can we do? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss how challenging it can be to work in an organization that perhaps one day had a long-term goal or vision, but now has a vicious focu…

Eye-Popping Stunning Results Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the challenge of being asked by someone to show (or visualize) stunning, eye-popping results for some reliability activity. How do we do this? Is this possible? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss how we go about demonstrating stunning, eye-popping results for the amount of res…

New Position Advice Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the advice we would give a engineer just starting a career in Reliability Engineering Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the way to best way to learn and apply the many tools and methodology of reliability engineering. Topics include: First seek to understand the history of failures in t…

Reliability Allocation Methods Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss reliability allocations for individual components and subsystems. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss a question from one of our listeners and why solid state electronics and mechanical systems have significant differences in the intrinsic life entitlements and have to be analy…

An Idea Short Explainer Videos Abstract Chris and Fred discuss how short, 1-minute explainer videos could help reliability engineers … especially new ones! Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss how people new to the topic can start immersing themselves in reliability engineering … but in an engaging and ‘easy’ way. We think that perhaps on…

FRACAS and CMMS Abstract Chris and Fred discuss what Failure Reporting and Corrective Action Systems (FRACAS) and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CSSM) are … and what they are not … and how they relate. Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss both the Failure Reporting and Corrective Action System (FRACAS) and Computerized Maint…

What is a Mode? Abstract Carl and Fred discuss why understanding the mode of failure is essential in Failure Mode and Effects Analysis. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how the Mode of failure is used in FMEA and other methods. Topics include: Examples of mode of failure Common misunderstandings about Failure Mode What is observable is…

Common Reliability Mistakes Abstract Carl and Fred discuss some of the most common reliability mistakes they have seen in their careers, both ones they have personally made or viewed. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss common erroneous assumptions and other types of mistakes and how to avoid them. Topics include: Not knowing how to inter…

Selecting Tools to Solve Problems Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss selecting tools to solve problems that are outside of the workplace, too! Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss selecting tools to solve problems that are outside of the workplace, too! Topics include: The many controllable variables of app-enabled coffee machines. How too…

Are Silos an Issue? Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss workplace politics: are silos an issue? Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss workplace politics: are silos an issue? Topics include: What silos are, what they may look like, and the ways they are formed. The effects of silos on projects and teams. You are needed to bridge silos and fac…

Why is PoF so Hard? Abstract Chris and Fred discuss why the Physics of Failure (PoF) is hard to model? … or is it? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss how the Physics of Failure (PoF) is seen as hard to use to model time to failure of something. It usually needs a detailed equation or formula to model how long it takes for something to f…

MTBF, Really? Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the MTBF … again. And again. People don’t (want to) get it. So here we go again … Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss the MTBF and why it should virtually never be used. Why? Topics include: What’s wrong with the MTBF when it comes to reliability? When we assume that the only thing we need to…

Finding Failures and Firefighting Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss new product market release schedule pressures, and then after customers start finding reliability issues, the actual firefighting begins. Many times, those who quickly can fix the causes of failures, the firefighters, get many more accolades than those who find and mitigate product we…

Proving HALT Works Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the challenge of showing those new to limit discovery using HALT and proving does find relevant future field issues that either already have occurred in a new released product, or in a product under development. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss finding potential weaknesses in a new or e…

Limits of Block Diagrams Abstract Chris and Fred discuss how we go about modeling the reliability of systems … particularly with things called ‘block diagrams.’ Might this help you? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss how we can go about modelling a system, mainly in response to a listener question. The question revolves around modeling …

Where do Confidence Bounds Come From Abstract Chris and Fred discuss where the ideas of ‘confidence bounds’ come from … and perhaps what they mean. Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss how we come up with things we call ‘confidence bounds.’ What are they? … and how do they help? Topics include: What are ‘confidence bounds’? Confidence bou…

Differing FMEA Approaches Abstract Carl and Fred discuss their overall approach to FMEA, what works and doesn’t work. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how they approach FMEA to keep it lean, effective and workable. Topics include: Does a longer FMEA make for a better FMEA? If you have the right FMEA team and no one is concerned about a…

Knotty Detection Abstract Carl and Fred discuss reader questions on FMEA detection, a subject which can be challenging and confusing. Detection is a key part of FMEA during product development as well as in operation. This podcast will discuss some of the “knottiest” challenges with understanding detection in FMEA. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as …

Learning Weibull Analysis Abstract Chris and Fred discuss Weibull Analysis and how it can help you can first take your ‘tentative’ steps to learn more about it. Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss Weibull analysis. This is perhaps one of the most talked about forms of analysis reliability engineers talk about. And so for some people who …

Learning From Those Closest Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the fact that many times those on the assembly and production lines are the ones that have the most information for assembly issues and causes of failures, yet the information they have is not heard by the engineers and management that could improve it. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they…

Getting Failure Feedback Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the many required tests before market release and post market ongoing reliability testing and why testing is so necessary. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the reasons we have to do so many tests to get the feedback on failures sometimes long after the tests have no failures for l…

Data Analysis Assumptions Abstract Greg and Fred discuss the importance and context of assumptions in data analysis. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss assumptions making decisions using non parametric data. Topics include: What is non parametric data? Why, when, and how to use non parametric data? How to make good decisions using non pa…