People Skills for an Expert Reliability Engineer
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing the most important people skills that are needed to succeed as an expert in a reliability engineering career.
The Most Common FMEA Mistakes and How to Convert Them into Quality Objectives
“Good judgment comes from experience and experience comes from poor judgment.” Will Rogers
Much is learned by observing the mistakes companies have made in doing FMEAs. Based on the experience of over 2,000 FMEAs and working with many companies in a wide variety of applications, certain common mistakes show up repeatedly. In this article, I’ll share ten common FMEA mistakes and how to convert them into quality objectives.
SOR 558 How to Best Use Standards
How to Best Use Standards
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing the proper role of standards in reliability programs: what makes for good standards, what makes for poor standards, and how to know the difference.
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SOR 557 Use of Models in Reliability Engineering
Use of Models in Reliability Engineering
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing the important role of models in reliability engineering programs.
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Using “Mode of Operation” in FMEA
More than one operational mode may need to be considered to ensure that all important failure modes are identified and analyzed in the FMEA. This article focuses on what you need to know about modes of operation when performing FMEAs.
“My favorite mode of transport is hot-air ballooning. It’s so graceful to be blown by the wind, to go where the wind takes you.” Richard Branson
SOR 546 Working Remotely Well
Working Remotely Well
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing ideas about how to maximize effectiveness while working remotely.
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SOR 545 What to do with 3 Samples
What to do with 3 Samples
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing what you can do if you only have 3 samples for testing.
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What is Unique about System FMEA?
Many companies miss out on the value of System FMEA and begin with lower level sub-assemblies or components. This article explains why it is usually best to begin with a properly done System FMEA.
“Big whirls have little whirls,
That feed on their velocity;
And little whirls have lesser whirls,
And so on to viscosity.”
Lewis Fry Richardson
Can You Anticipate Everything?
Is it possible to anticipate everything that could go wrong?
“Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future.” Niels Bohr
In an FMEA, is it possible to think of everything that might happen in the future? What strategies can be used by FMEA teams to maximize the opportunity to anticipate what can go wrong, so risk can be reduced to an acceptable level?
Gathering Information
[Author note: This article is being published mid-month, and is part of the FMEA Preparation series. It was earlier written, but inadvertently omitted from publication, as part of this series.]
Gathering Information for FMEA Preparation
One of the most important steps in FMEA preparation is gathering all of the relevant documents and information. If this step is missed or done inadequately the FMEA meetings will be burdened with extra tasks related to missing information, the time of the subject-matter experts will be wasted, and the FMEA results potentially compromised.
“True genius resides in the capacity for evaluation of uncertain, hazardous, and conflicting information.” – Winston Churchill
SOR 531 Unique Role of FMEA
SOR 531 Unique Role of FMEA
Abstract
Carl discusses the unique role that FMEA can play in a reliability program, when done exceptionally well.
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SOR 526 Advanced versus Traditional Methods
SOR 526 Advanced versus Traditional Methods
Abstract
Carl discusses the role of advanced reliability methods, and why both traditional and advanced reliability methods are important.
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SOR 520 The Importance of People Skills
SOR 520 The Importance of People Skills
Abstract
Carl discusses how good people skills can supplement your reliability engineering skills, and why they are both important.
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SOR 514 Planning for Failures
SOR 514 Planning for Failures
Abstract
Carl discusses the importance of understanding how things fail, during product development.
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Using Process FMEAs to Improve Process Control Plans
“Science is the process that takes us from confusion to understanding…” – B
Properly done, Process FMEAs should improve manufacturing and assembly processes and corresponding process controls. This article describes how PFMEAs can be used to improve process controls, which are embodied in the Process Control Plan (PCP).
