Catching Up with Questions
Abstract
Carl and Fred summarizing and discussing the latest questions received from readers and listeners.
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SOR 753 Catching Up with Questions
Facilitation Skill # 9: Encouraging Creativity
“Creativity is an ability to respond adaptively to the needs for new approaches and new products.” Frank Barron
Creativity is an essential ingredient to achieving excellence in FMEAs. Excerpts from the book Effective FMEAs will be used throughout the article.
SOR 752 Bringing Back Old Plant Equipment
Bringing Back Old Plant Equipment
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing a listener question about the use of FMEA when ramping up equipment in a plant. In this case, the equipment had been sitting dormant for a number of years.
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SOR 747 Celebrating Reliability Success
Celebrating Reliability Success
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing a listener question about when it is OK to celebrate reliability successes. Specifically, how long you have to wait to feel comfortable you have a successful product when nothing bad happens.
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Facilitation Skill # 8 – Brainstorming
The mere formulation of a problem is far more essential than its solution, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skills. To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advances in science. – Albert Einstein
In this article, we will discuss how to use brainstorming to enhance FMEA effectiveness, and when (and when not) to use brainstorming.
SOR 740 Building Rapport and Influence
Building Rapport and Influence
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing how to build rapport with colleagues, as one of the steps in shaping and influencing product designs and manufacturing processes.
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SOR 739 Maintenance v Product Reliability Engineering
Maintenance v Product Reliability Engineering
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing a listener question about the crossover knowledge between asset reliability and product reliability. What are the similarities? What are the differences? What about a potential career change between one and the other?
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Facilitation Skill # 7 – Managing Conflict
“Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress” – Gandhi
The Oxford English Dictionary defines “conflict” as, “an incompatibility between two or more opinions, principles, or interests.”
What is the value of conflict in an FMEA?
Conflicts are bound to arise from time to time. They can be positive and beneficial. An absence of any expressions of disagreement or conflict may indicate a problem in adequacy or quality of facilitation. Facilitators should not be afraid of conflict, but should learn the value of disagreements and how to manage them. Understanding the difference between healthy debates and dysfunctional arguments is critical to good facilitation. [Read more…]
SOR 735 Value of Certification
Value of Certification
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing a listener question about the value of certification in reliability engineering. Does it help one’s career advancement? Will it enhance one’s salary? What are the pros and cons? Does certification improve one’s prospects internationally?
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SOR 730 The Future of Reliability
The Future of Reliability
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing the future of the field of reliability engineering, including where we have been and where we are going.
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SOR 729 Unusual Reliability Applications
Unusual Reliability Applications
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing unusual and interesting reliability projects that cross disciplines.
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Facilitation Skill # 6 – Making Decisions
“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.” – Martin Luther King
According to Merriam-Webster, a “decision” is “a choice that you make about something after thinking about it: the result of deciding.”
The Future of Reliability Engineering
“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.” [Read more…]
SOR 724 Key Characteristics Revisited
Key Characteristics Revisited
Abstract
Carl and Fred having a new conversation about the age-old topic of key characteristics, and how they are used to improve products and processes.
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SOR 723 Question Everything
Question Everything
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing the value of questioning in the process of learning and personal growth. Students and instructors should question each other as part of learning, engineering teams should question each other as part of achieving consensus.
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