The Reliability Engineering Glossary
Reliability engineering and related fields use a vocabulary unique to our field of endeavor. For example, the term ‘reliability’ has the meaning of ‘trustworthy’ in everyday English use. For us, ‘reliability’ has a precise engineering definition.
Glossary description and plans
This glossary is meant to help us learn the language of reliability engineering. The category of ‘Terms’ is like a dictionary, including terms and their definitions as used by engineers. The category of ‘Methods’ is a listing of the techniques, tools, approaches, or concepts that may be found within a reliability plan. In the near future, we expect to expand the ‘Methods’ pages to include guidelines on use or application, examples, and additional references.
We also plan to expand the glossary to include formulas and failure mechanisms. Please let us know if there is another list of terms that should be added if you do not find a term that should be included or if you would like to recommend a change to an existing entry.
Method Categories
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- Bayes success-run theoremA useful method, based on the binomial distribution, that can be used to determine an appropriate risk-based sample size for process validations. The Bayes success-run theorem is as follows: R = (1 − C)(1/n), whereR = reliability (or probability of success), C = confidence level, and n is the(...) Read More
- Bayes' theoremA mathematical theorem that describes the probability of an event, based on prior knowledge of conditions that might be related to the event. Read More
- BenchmarkingThe process of comparing one's business processes and performance metrics to industry bests and best practices from other companies. Dimensions typically measured are quality, time, and cost. Read More
- Benefit-cost analysisA systematic approach to estimating the strengths and weaknesses of alternatives (for example in transactions, activities, functional business requirements); it is used to determine options that provide the best approach to achieve benefits while preserving savings. Read More
- Best practiceA method or technique that has been generally accepted as superior to any alternatives because it produces results that are superior to those achieved by other means or because it has become a standard way of doing things. Read More
- Beta testingA form of verification testing accomplished by providing late-stage prototypes or pre-release production units to select customers to use under normal conditions with an obligation to provide feedback and defect reporting. Read More
- BiasThe difference between the observed average of measurements (trials under repeatability conditions) and a reference value; historically referred to as accuracy. Bias is evaluated and expressed at a single point within the operating range of the measurement system. Read More
- Big Q, little qA term used to contrast the difference between managing for quality in all business processes and products (big Q) and managing for quality in a limited capacity—traditionally only in factory products and processes (little q). Read More
- Binary digitThe digits of 0 or 1 in a binary numeration system. Read More
- Binomial distributionA discrete probability distribution useful to describe attributes data. Read More
- BiomechanicsThe study of the principles and relationships involved with muscular activity. Read More
- Bipolar technologyAn electronic device technology that depends on the flow of both majority and minority carriers for electrical conduction. Read More
- Black beltFull-time team leader responsible for implementing process improvement projects—define, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC) or define, measure, analyze, design, and verify (DMADV)—within a business to drive up customer satisfaction and productivity levels. Read More
- BlackbodyAn ideal item that absorbs all and reflects none of the impinging radiant energy. Reflectively of zero, emissivity is 100%. Read More
- BlemishAn imperfection severe enough to be noticed but that should not cause any real impairment with respect to intended normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Read More
- BlisteringThe bubble-like shape due to the detachment of material from a surface. Read More
- BlockA subdivision of the experiment into relatively homogenous experimental units. A collection of experimental units. Read More
- Block designA designed experiment, which uses blocks. Read More
- Block diagramA diagram that shows the operation, interrelationships and interdependencies of components in a system. Boxes, or blocks (hence the name), represent the components; connecting lines between the blocks represent interfaces. There are two types of block diagrams: a functional block diagram,(...) Read More
- BlockingA technique used to account for variables that the experimenter wishes to avoid when structuring fractional factorial experimental test trials; may involve a dummy factor that does not interact with the real factors. Read More
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