Dancing with Fear to Get Things Done
Abstract
Carl and Fred discuss how fear can keep us from achieving our goals, and strategies to overcome our fears.
ᐅ Play Episode
SOR 276 Dancing with Fear to Get Things Done
SOR 275 What is Reliability Leadership?
What is Reliability Leadership?
Abstract
Carl and Fred discuss the broad subject of leadership, and how it applies to reliability engineering and management.
ᐅ Play Episode
Understanding FMEA Recommended Actions – Part 2
Problems and Solutions
Consider the recommended action “Review results of XYZ test to confirm requirements are achieved.” Is this a good FMEA recommended action to address a high-risk issue? Is it sufficient? Challenge your FMEA knowledge by solving this problem and other problems presented in this article.
Understanding FMEA Recommended Actions – Part 1
Actions Speak Louder than Words
Consider these questions: How many recommendations are needed to address the root cause of a high-risk problem? If the FMEA team is addressing an issue with high-severity and high-occurrence ratings, is it usual to have a single recommended action to reduce risk? Why not? Read on, to learn the essential elements of FMEA recommended actions, and answers to this questions.
“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”
Leonardo da Vinci
[Read more…]
FMEA Q and A – Auditing FMEAs
FMEA Q and A
One of the more important topics in the FMEA body of knowledge is how to audit the effectiveness of FMEAs. Performing FMEAs properly and to a high quality standard is essential to obtaining the best possible results. This FMEA Q and A goes to the heart of FMEA effectiveness audits.
“Without a good question, a good answer has no place to go.”
Clayton Christensen
SOR 270 In What Department Should the Reliability Group Be Located?
In What Department Should the Reliability Group Be Located?
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing the organization of the reliability activity and the benefits and shortcomings of locating reliability in different departments.
ᐅ Play Episode
SOR 269 DFR the Long View
DFR the Long View
Abstract
Carl and Fred discuss the subject of DFR from the long-term point of view. An effective DFR program takes time, and cannot be done with shortcuts. However, it is very much worth the effort.
ᐅ Play Episode
Understanding FMEA Controls – Part 2
Problems and Solutions
In this article, we use problems and solutions to learn about FMEA controls. In the intermediate problem, we continue examining the door latch-pin failure of the DC-10 cargo door, as an example to identify FMEA controls. In the advanced problem, we analyze a fictitious FMEA relating to potential safety of someone trying to unjam a snowblower.
Understanding FMEA Controls – Part 1
Leveraging the Value of Today
A common error in FMEA procedure is to make entries in the Controls column that the FMEA team believes need to be done, but are not currently planned or in place. Why is this error so prevalent? Maybe the question should be why do we limit entries into the prevention or detection control column to actions or methods that are currently planned or in place?
“Never mind your mistakes. One day they will become your most prized possessions.”
Abhijit Naskar
[Read more…]
FMEA Q and A – Application of Generic FMEAs
FMEA Q and A
Is it a good idea to do one generic FMEA for wiring harnesses, and use it as a reference for other FMEAs for similar applications? What about interfaces? These questions are discussed and answered in this FMEA Q and A article.
“We live in the world our questions create.”
David Cooperrider
Understanding FMEA Causes – Part 2
Problems and Solutions
The DC-10 case study continues by asking for causes to the door latch-pin failure. The advanced problem poses a realistic and especially challenging circumstance that FMEA teams can experience.
“Judge a man by his questions, not his answers.” Voltaire
SOR 261 Product and Process Error Proofing
Product and Process Error Proofing
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing the subject of error proofing and how it can be used to make robust designs and manufacturing processes.
ᐅ Play Episode
Understanding FMEA Causes – Part 1
Getting to the Root of the Matter
Does a cause description need to be a design or manufacturing deficiency? Why? This is one of the more important questions to consider if you want to achieve quality FMEAs.
“The effort to get at the truth has to precede all other efforts.”
Albert Einstein
[Read more…]
SOR 260 Essence of DFR
Essence of DFR
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing the underlying philosophy of Design for Reliability (DFR) and identifying the essence and scope of DFR.
ᐅ Play Episode
FMEA Q and A – FMEA Boundary Diagram
FMEA Q and A
In this Q and A article, a reader asks a challenging question about the linkage between FMEA boundary diagrams and Design FMEAs. There are many linkages between different elements of FMEAs, and this question/answer highlights one of the key linkages.
“In all affairs, it’s a healthy thing to hang a question mark on the thing you have long taken for granted.”
Bertrand Russell
