I recently had the pleasure to interview Doug Stangier, co-author of Preventive Maintenance Made Simple. This is another excellent book in the Made Simple series, published by ReliabilityWeb. During the interview, Doug not only provides insights into his book but also into what world class Preventive Maintenance looks like. Anyone new to maintenance and reliability, or seasoned experts can benefit from this great book. Without further delay, here is the interview with Doug.
Calculating Network Reliability
I have worked in the field of reliability for a good many years. I have presented both beginner and advanced reliability engineering courses. I have even read several books. 🙂 But, across all this, component redundancy has never been explained beyond simple serial and parallel configurations.
So, it was a shock to my system to be presented with a scenario that couldn’t be solved using a simple parallel system.
My previous work had challenged me only as far as:
- Serial
- Active parallel
- Stand-by parallel
- M-out-of-n parallel
- Keystone-component parallel
But now I was being challenged by a network that was none of these.
Integrating ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management Throughout the Organization
Guest Post by Robert Pojasek (first posted on CERM ® RISK INSIGHTS – reposted here with permission)
In 2012, ISO’s ‘Joint Technical Coordinating Group’ (JTCG) completed work to provide a high-level structure, text, and common terms and definitions for all future and revised management system standards. All Technical Committees developing management system standards were required to follow Annex SL found in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1, Annex SL[i].
As we approach 2019, it is abundantly clear that the high-level structure mandate has been followed by the Technical Committees with mixed results. All the new and revised management systems used the 10-clause structure and all of them include the same definition of risk and risk management. However, the way risk management was used in the different management system standards varied considerably. What can an organization learn from this exercise? [Read more…]
Fundamentals of Applying a Structured Approach
In reviewing several previous articles in this article series, it’s apparent there is much in common with product development, project management and process improvement.
Let’s look at a brief list that considers a structured approach vs. unstructured
While this list is pretty “high-level” it reveals the importance of project leadership, governance and management. A structured approach (for example a phase-gate structure, DMAIC or agile/scrum) enables management and planning, which enables governance and governance enables leadership.
Some structured approaches may be more suitable than others depending on the type of project. However, any structure (with leadership, governance and management in mind) is probably better than none.
Robust Design with Monte Carlo Analysis
When an objective requires a tool to be used, that is idea. Certain projects can greatly benefit from use of Monte Carlo analysis. This in depth knowledge can create solutions where it is not readily apparent. If you are considering going this far, we can help you decide if the value is worthwhile. And we can help you apply it in a simple yet powerful way. [Read more…]
Taking a Lean Approach to PM Optimization
How You Have Your PMs Addressing The Right Issues, Make The Effective
In the previous articles, we looked at what type of analysis to use to evaluate the effectiveness of the PMs and if they are cost effective. Once the PMs have been optimized to ensure they are addressing the right failure modes, then they need to be made efficient. Below is an excerpt from a recent article in SMRP’s Solutions Magazine on how to make PM efficient using the lean tools.
Less is More
Less is More – Efficiency in Project Management Plans
Guest Post by Malcolm Peart (first posted on CERM ® RISK INSIGHTS – reposted here with permission)
We’ve all seen it…a filing cabinet full of project management plans and procedures from the last job that people have tried to adapt and modify to meet the current project. Amazing that such a plethora can give the impression of effectiveness and, to a skeptic, surprising if they are relevant, read or assimilated. [Read more…]
5 Steps to Create a Measles Chart
Measles Chart Basics
The clever Dr. John Snow mapped cholera cases during the epidemic of 1854 on a street map of the area. This type of mapping now called a measles chart, or defect location check sheet, or defect map, is useful when exploring the effect of location data.
The name measles chart may have come from the habit of using an image of drawing of a product and adding small red dots to signify defect locations.
Statistical Process Control
Statistical Process Control is about addressing business needs. It is not about charts. It is not even about control. It is about focused learning and taking action. Our successful implementation history means that we can help you too! [Read more…]
Identifying and Prioritizing FMEA Functions
– a Key Step in FMEA Preparation
“. . . not everything that can be counted counts” Albert Einstein
A key, but often missed, step in FMEA preparation is to identify and prioritize the functions that relate to the item being analyzed. These become candidate functions to be brought into the FMEA.
Understanding Variation
A recent call to us asked about “Understanding Variation.” What does that really mean? We explore the topic with you in this video. [Read more…]
Is Your PM Worth Doing? Use a PM Cost Benefit Analysis to Find Out
How To Determine If The PM Activity Being Performed Is Worth Doing
Would you spend $100 every week to prevent a possible issue that will result in a loss of $10? Probably not, so why is that we do that with our maintenance programs every single day? Often, PM and PdM activities are put into place without any thought to the economic impact of the activity. While in theory the PM or PdM activities will prevent or mitigate the consequences of the failure, is implementing one of these activities the right thing to do?
Understanding the ‘Risk Management’ Process
Guest Post by Robert Pojasek (first posted on CERM ® RISK INSIGHTS – reposted here with permission)
There are two widely-used risk management standards:
- ISO 31000:2018
- COSO ERM 2017
In my previous blog[i], I presented details on how these risk management standards address the development of a risk-aware culture – a necessary foundation for risk management success. As promised, this blog will address the risk management “process.” This is how the organization addresses specific risks. [Read more…]
Non obvious DOE applications – Running
DOE is often seen as a manufacturing tool, or at least as a technical tool. However, any process with inputs and outputs can be improved with this tool. This video talks about 3 areas, including a focus on a running DOE which found a surprising medical issue. [Read more…]
Multi-voting: When More than One Vote is Better
In brainstorming, you may face a large number of unique ideas even after affinity diagraming. Multi-voting is a great tool to gain consensus on the top priority ideas with your team.
For less than 10 or so items we could use a rank ordering method, yet that method becomes cumbersome when there are a lot of items to prioritize. There are a couple of ways to conduct multiple-voting. Mastering this technique will help your team quickly focus on what is truly important. [Read more…]
