Christopher Jackson — Thought Leader

Author of Reliability in Emerging Technology, multiple books, co-host on Speaking of Reliability, and speaker in the Accendo Reliability Webinar Series.

This author's archive lists contributions of articles and episodes.

by Christopher Jackson Leave a Comment

SOR 458 Testing in the Flat Part of the Curve

Testing in the Flat Part of the Bathtub Curve

Abstract

Chris and Fred discuss the question posed to us by one of our listeners regarding the ‘flat’ bottom of the ‘bathtub curve.’ Just a bit of background – the ‘bathtub curve’ represents the hazard rate of a system. That is, it helps us understand the probability that a product that works ‘now’ will fail. The ‘flat’ part of the curve is often cited as the ‘random’ part of the curve where failure is caused by environmental overstress conditions. So how do we test for this part of the curve? … but hang on – is the ‘bathtub curve’ even a thing? Is it even relevant for the useful life of a product? If this intrigues you, listen to this podcast!
ᐅ Play Episode

by Christopher Jackson Leave a Comment

SOR 457 Is Maintainability Only About Repair Time?

Is Maintainability Only About Repair Time?

Abstract

Chris and Fred discuss one of the most popular interpretations of maintainability which is based on how long it takes to maintain something. We see so many textbooks and guides that focus on this metric as the only maintainability measure. But is this really all that matters? What about the number of technicians required? … the number of tools required? … the training required for these technicians? … the mass of these tools? Does reliability matter? Yes to all these things. But how does they relate to the time-based definition? They don’t. Listen to this podcast to learn more.
ᐅ Play Episode

by Christopher Jackson Leave a Comment

SOR 454 What if You Make it Too Reliable?

What if You Make it Too Reliable?

Abstract

Chris and Fred often hear at least one person (or a small group of people) challenge your ‘cultural’ reliability improvement initiative. We hear things like ‘but to make it very reliable, it becomes too heavy or expensive.’ We also hear things like ‘but to make it very reliable, we need to invest lots of money for something the customer won’t buy.’ If you boil their complaints down or get to the hub of their issue … they are really suggesting that we do ‘reliability things’ without thinking. A checklist of activities that may or may not be valuable. This could not be further from what actually happens in reality. It never happens. Listen to this podcast to learn more.
ᐅ Play Episode

by Christopher Jackson Leave a Comment

SOR 453 How to Balance Reliability vs New Tech

How to Balance Reliability vs New Tech

Abstract

Chris and Fred discuss how we balance … or incorporate new technology with reliability. Is reliability something that only comes with legacy or age? … as in old technology? Can you make a product that is based on new technology and have it reliable? … are these concepts mutually exclusive? If we look at this from an ‘asset management’ perspective, there is a movement out there that we need things like increasingly sophisticated sensing technology to ensure reliability, availability, throughput or whatever it is we are trying to improve. From a ‘developmental product’ perspective, does new technology mean ‘all bets are off’ when it comes to reliability? Well … we talk about these things in this podcast. ᐅ Play Episode

by Christopher Jackson Leave a Comment

SOR 450 Customer Experience and Failures – Its not you its them!

Customer Experience and Failures – Its not you its them!

Abstract

Chris and Fred discuss what it means to ‘fail.’ Not from a personal sense! But what does it mean for your product to fail. Engineering or design specifications describe what the product or system must do. So does failure simply occur when the product can no longer meet all these specifications? What if your product or system meets all these criteria – but your customer ‘thinks’ is has failed? We have seen many instances where a group of people who design and make products will vehemently argue that even if the customer thinks something has failed when it meets the specifications, then nothing is wrong. Is it? What do you think the customer will do? Do you think they will be ‘happy’? If this is a problem you come across, then listen to this podcast.
ᐅ Play Episode

by Christopher Jackson Leave a Comment

SOR 449 When to Use a Previous Test Plan

When to Use a Previous Test Plan

Abstract

Chris and Fred discuss when (and if) you can use a reliability test plan that you have used before. If it worked then … why won’t it work now? Won’t you save money, time and other things that you can get bonuses for? Well yes. We received a question from one of our listeners who asked why you might not want to test the product the same way. There are many good reasons why you wouldn’t want to do this. If you want to learn more, listen to this podcast.
ᐅ Play Episode

by Christopher Jackson Leave a Comment

SOR 446 Battery Reliability Considerations

Battery Reliability Considerations

Abstract

Chris and Fred discuss battery reliability issues and how batteries fail. This based on feedback from one of our listeners (thanks!) There is a lot of energy in batteries that if failure allows this energy to be able to ‘do something’ … then catastrophic failure is an understatement. But as with everything, it is all about the customer. Is failure (for example) when battery capacity reaches 80 per cent of its original value? Is this 80 per cent figure going to be the advertised capacity? If you would like to learn more, listen to this podcast.
ᐅ Play Episode

by Christopher Jackson Leave a Comment

SOR 445 High Temperature Environmental or Reliability Testing

High Temperature Environmental or Reliability Testing

Abstract

Chris and Fred discuss the difference between ‘environmental’ and ‘reliability’ testing … but is there a difference? This question was raised by one of our listeners – which means this is a topical question. A question that could apply to you. Now some may seem that we are dodging the question in this podcast – because we think it is all about intent and not a category. That is – every test should be an experiment. It should be constructed to answer a question, or provide information for a specific decision. And once you focus on the information you are trying to provide – what is the point in classifying something as ‘environmental’ versus ‘reliability’ testing? Each test could conceivably be neither, one, or both. Listen to this podcast if you want to learn more.
ᐅ Play Episode

by Christopher Jackson 2 Comments

What You Need to Know About MTBF

podcast episode with speaker Chris Jackson

MTBF stands for ‘mean time between failure.’ This sounds intuitively easy to understand. But … if you haven’t taken the time to understand MTBF, and your organization relies on the reliability of its products, you are almost certainly in trouble. [Read more…]

by Christopher Jackson Leave a Comment

SOR 436 Is Testing Always Necessary?

Is Testing Always Necessary?

Abstract

Chris and Fred discuss what happens when you have failure … but don’t know why. This is a challenging problem that most reliability engineers will face throughout their career. You will always need to use an objective, structured and strategic approach. And you will often find that a lot of information is at your fingertips – you may be able to create a very short list of candidate root causes without having to test. Effort without direction won’t solve problems. If you want to learn more about solving this really challenging problems, then listen to this podcast.
ᐅ Play Episode

by Christopher Jackson Leave a Comment

SOR 425 Leaders That Don’t Understand

Leaders That Don’t Understand

Abstract

Chris and Fred discuss ‘Leaders that Don’t Understand.’ And by ‘Don’t Understand’ … we mean they don’t understand what their organization sells or does. Sometimes this can work (within reason). Leaders who are not experts in their product or services can still be effective if they know that they need to listen to those around them. But this can go too far – if all decisions need to be collectively agreed by a large cadre of people before the leader in question agrees to make a decision. This isn’t leadership at all. The concept of having ‘everyone on board’ can decimate decision making speed, innovation and a focus on customers. Have you had a similar experience?
ᐅ Play Episode

by Christopher Jackson 2 Comments

SOR 422 What Do I Do When the MTBF is Imposed on Me?

What Do I Do When MTBF is Imposed?

Abstract

Chris and Fred discuss what happens when you can’t avoid having the MTBF imposed upon you – even if it is your own organization and not the customer. Perhaps you are told that ‘our competitors quote the MTBF … so we have to as well!’ But you can (sneakily) tailor test data to get whatever MTBF you want. You can make life easy on yourself by not challenging this paradigm (noting that you will most likely get an unhappy customer). But it is almost impossible to apportion MTBF goals to individual designers that even allow the motivated ones to create a reliable system. So what do you do? Listen to this podcast to help you on your reliability journey.
ᐅ Play Episode

by Christopher Jackson Leave a Comment

SOR 421 Specification Requires Testing… Really?

Specification Requires Testing… Really?

Abstract

Chris and Fred discuss scenarios where it is (for whatever reason) impossible to demonstrate reliability through testing. Some organizations think that if you can’t demonstrate through testing … then it can’t be a requirement that appears in a specification. So … does this mean that the customer can’t get something that is reliable if we can’t test for it? … can customers even ask for it? Of course they can. The customer knows what they want. Everyone needs to understand that you can verify performance through activities that don’t involve testing (… like analysis). This is how it works for nuclear power plants … so what makes your organization special? Listen to this podcast if this intrigues you.
ᐅ Play Episode

by Christopher Jackson 2 Comments

SOR 413 Characteristics of an Organization That Limits Reliability

Characteristics of an Organization That Limits Reliability

Abstract

Chris and Fred discuss what ‘tell’s an organization that sucks at reliability has. That is, can you just tell an organization makes terrible products before you even get to their reliability department/guidebook/strategy/laboratory? And if you can, what are they? Our experience shows that when we are brought in to solve a ‘reliability’ problem, we need to address a vision/leadership/resourcing/(insert poor business practice here) issue. If this interests you … please listen to this podcast!
ᐅ Play Episode

by Christopher Jackson Leave a Comment

SOR 412 Are Regulators Good For Reliability

Are Regulators Good For Reliability

Abstract

Chris and Fred discuss the role regulators play in many industries. Are we better off because of them? In many cases … yes. But perhaps regulators are also getting in the way of us doing things better. And at what point does their ‘net harm’ exceed their ‘net good’? Can regulators do a better job, and perhaps create an alternative to archaic checklists and compliance audits? We think yes. If this topic interests you, listen to this podcast!
ᐅ Play Episode