Introduction to Reliability Engineering
& Accelerated Testing 
A 12-hour Live Course

Basic topics in Reliability Engineering are presented with a focus on developing test plans for meeting reliability targets and mitigating risk.  After an introduction to basic reliability concepts and reliability statistics, the course shifts to methods for demonstrating reliability using success-based and test-to-failure strategies.  Life data analysis (i.e., Weibull analysis) is presented along with a brief tutorial of Weibull++ software for performing this analysis. Reliability confidence bounds are introduced along with their impact on test plans and customer reliability statements.  Finally, a number of accelerated testing methods are introduced.

Designed for individuals just getting started as well as experienced practitioners looking to refresh or expand their skillset. Reliability expert and instructor John Kreucher will guide you through a comprehensive and interactive deep dive into all aspects of reliability engineering so you can confidently:

  • Understand the life cycle of a product family

  • Understand how to set warranty period and design life

  • Create a test plan to meet reliability specifications

  • Conduct basic life data analysis

  • Select appropriate confidence bounds

  • Understand quantitative and qualitative accelerated testing

  • Design a basic accelerated life test

Book your course today.

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  • John recently delivered Reliability & Accelerated Testing training to our organization. The training was well organized, had relatable examples, and provided hands on exercises to reinforce the concepts. The team benefited greatly from the training; they have already put some of their newly acquired skills to work. We continue to use John as a consultant; he is very responsive and accommodating to our schedules and timeline.
    — Zach Tyo, Quality Control Director, Medical Device Industry
    — Zach Tyo, Quality Control Director, Medical Device Industry

Course Overview

Here's what you can expect from Introduction to Reliability Engineering & Accelerated Testing.

  • Practical Training

    Participants will be ready to implement these methods at work

  • Bound training materials

    Course materials provide a practical reference

  • Participant Interaction

    Designed to be interactive and conversational

  • In class exercises

    Pulled from many industries to reinforce topics

  • In person or remote via teleconference

    Both options are live

  • Introduction to Weibull++

    Demo licenses provided. Used for some exercises

  • Remote option includes homework

    'In-class' exercises assigned as homework between teleconference sessions

  • Offline Instructor Support

    Offline instructor support is available to ensure your success!

  • Customization of case studies

    Current client problems can be part of the learning

  • Target audience

    Reliability, validation, product, and test engineers and managers of these disciplines

Course Outline

  • Module 1: Basic Concepts in Reliability Engineering

    Lifecycle of a product in the field, stress-strength interference, test severity

  • Module 2: Reliability Statistics

    Introduction to Reliability Functions, Commonly Used Reliability Distributions

  • Module 3: Success Based Reliability Demonstration

    Success Run Formula, Confidence and Sample Size, The Lipson Quality

  • Module 4: Introduction to Life Data Analysis (LDA)

    Probability Plotting, Plot Interpretation, Parameter Estimation, Weibull++ Primer

  • Module 5: Confidence in Reliability Engineering

  • Module 6: Introduction to Accelerated Testing Methods

    Time compression, Accelerated Life Testing (ALT), Proportional Overstress Testing (MEOST), Cumulative Damage, HALT/HASS

  • Module 7: Elements of a Reliability Specification

Practical, Convenient, Comprehensive

John Kreucher
Founder of Reliability Alliance LLC

Course Instructor and Reliability Expert

I founded Reliability Alliance after many years as an industry leader and teacher in the field of Reliability Engineering.   Prior to launching Reliability Alliance, I served as the Divisional Manager of Validation at a large Tier-One automotive supplier.  I’ve also worked in the functional areas of Test & Validation, Manufacturing & Supplier Quality, and Product Development.

My Reliability and Test Engineering interest began with experiences in metallurgical research where I learned failure analysis and the physics of failure.  Next were leadership assignments in product development and supplier and manufacturing quality where I learned the techniques and value of thorough risk assessments and quality planning.  Finally, as a test and reliability engineering manager I’ve been a leader in the development of sound validation plans that encompass customer usage and environmental profiles as well as test to failure strategies for demonstrating reliability.

I developed and have delivered Reliability and Accelerated Testing training to many locations worldwide.  I serve as a consultant to many industries and product lines on validation, reliability, and accelerated testing methods.  I’ve authored several professional papers and have been awarded three U.S. patents.

I am an ASQ Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) and a Six Sigma Black Belt and have executed many structured problem solving projects using Design of Experiments (DOE), Taguchi methods, and Shainin Green Y methods.  I’m allied with a number of close contacts from these related fields.

I earned a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University, which I attended as a General Motors Fellow.  I also serve as an adjunct instructor of mathematics, statistics, and physics at local colleges and universities.

  • I’ve worked with John very closely over the past 2 years on various projects ranging from validation test plan development to help creating and installing a Validation Rigor program. John brings helpful guidance and coaching to many different problems and he provides insightful direction from his years of experience in the industry. I will continue to reach out to John for coaching and support and for help with team development in Validation and Reliability topics.
    — Cory Gleisinger, ASQ CRE, Engineering Manager, Product Assurance, Automotive Supplier
    — Cory Gleisinger, ASQ CRE, Engineering Manager, Product Assurance, Automotive Supplier