Reliability Goals and Requirements
Abstract
Carl and Fred discuss the importance of well-written reliability requirements and whether they should be goals or actual requirements.
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SOR 930 Reliability Goals and Requirements
Key Teaching Principle #1: Understanding
As covered in the first article in this series, Principles of Effective Teaching, reliability engineers, FMEA team leaders, and other quality and reliability professionals are often called upon to teach the principles of reliability or FMEA. Whether you are a student who wants to enhance your learning experience, an instructor who wants to improve teaching results, or an engineer who wishes to convey knowledge to another person, this series will offer practical knowledge and advice.
Understand What You Teach
Key Teaching Principle # 1 is the instructor demonstrates a solid understanding of fundamentals, speaking directly to students, and not reading slides.
“Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.” Plato
SOR 921 Lifespan of an FMEA
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?
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SOR 920 RCM and FMEAs
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?
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New Series: Principles of Effective Teaching
Principles of Effective Teaching
“I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.” Albert Einstein
Reliability engineers, FMEA team leaders, and other quality and reliability professionals are often called upon to teach the principles of reliability or FMEA. This article is the beginning of a new series called “The principles of effective teaching.”
If you want to convey knowledge to another person, you are teaching. If you want to learn from another person who is teaching, you will benefit from learning these principles.
FMEA Effect – Mitigated or Unmitigated?
“The important thing is not to stop questioning.” Albert Einstein
I always encourage readers to ask questions, and include a link in my article to make it easy. Asking questions is a great way to learn.
A reader recently asked, “When performing an FMEA, should the effect consider the mitigated case or unmitigated case? In this article we will look at different aspects that can be considered in order to answer the question.
SOR 908 Why is Reliability a Process?
Why is Reliability a Process?
Abstract
Carl and Fred discuss the process of reliability, which also happens to be the name of their new book. They answer the question “why is reliability a process”? and discuss what happens if reliability is only approached as a series of methods.
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SOR 907 How Root is the Cause?
How Root is the Cause?
Abstract
Carl and Fred discuss the broad subject of identifying root causes and how deep to go. It’s not as simple as getting to the “root.”
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SOR 904 Good Reliability Requirements
Good Reliability Requirements
Abstract
Carl and Fred discuss the essence of well-written reliability requirements. They are much more than reliability numbers.
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SOR 903 Common FMEA Confusions
Common FMEA Confusions
Abstract
Carl and Fred discuss common FMEA confusions that come up from time to time. These are condensed from questions that Carl gets from “Inside FMEA” readers.
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Operator Error?
An “Inside FMEA” reader recently asked a question on the subject of Process FMEAs, specifically whether assigning the cause as “operator error” is useful. This article will share insights into the nature of a cause in Process FMEA, and whether describing cause as “operator error” adds value.
Fred and I podcasted on this topic. Link to the podcast is here.
I’ve seen literally hundreds of Process FMEAs that list “operator error” as the cause of a process related failure mode. Let me be as clear as I can. Assigning “operator error” as the cause in a Process FMEA does not add value. I’ll explain. [Read more…]
The Future of Reliability Engineering
Guest Post by Carl Carlson (first posted on CERM ® RISK INSIGHTS – reposted here with permission)
Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” – William Jennings Bryan
The Oxford English dictionary defines “reliability” as “the quality of being able to be trusted to do what somebody wants or needs.”
The textbook definition for “reliability” is “the probability that an item will perform its intended function for a designated period of time without failure under specified operating and environmental conditions.”
In this article, I will share a brief outline of the current and future state of reliability engineering, what works and doesn’t work, and why it matters to all of us.
SOR 896 Q & R Management: Independence vs. Integration
Quality and Reliability Management: Independence vs. Integration
Abstract
Carl and Dianna sharing experiences with different forms of managing quality and reliability activities. The importance of independence was compared to the importance of integrating with the design activities. What works, what doesn’t work, and why?
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Generic Lists of Failure Information – Good Idea or Not?
Are generic lists of failure information useful to FMEA teams? Are they a good idea or not?
There is a lot of discussion amongst FMEA practitioners on automating and standardizing FMEAs. In this article, I will discuss the pros and cons of using generic lists of failure modes, effects and causes.
The Oxford English dictionary defines “generic” as “characteristic of or relating to a class or group of things; not specific.” [Read more…]
SOR 892 Where are FMEAs (and their standards) Heading?
Where are FMEAs (and their standards) Heading?
Abstract
Carl and Chris discussing the future of FMEA, sharing their vision for where this method is headed.
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