Politics is not engineering. But unfortunately, the most 'senior' engineers become 'senior' because of their political skills. Not engineering skills. And it can be really bad in reliability engineering. Sound familiar?

Preparing to Interview Abstract Chris and Fred discuss how to make a good impression when interviewing for a reliability engineering position. How do you prepare? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss what you can do to prepare for a (new?) career in reliability engineering. What can you do to prepare yourself to [...]

FMEA and Hazard Analysis Abstract Carl and Fred discuss a reader question about FMEA and Hazard Analysis and whether or not they can be combined into a single analysis.

Hidden Reliability Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the challenges of hidden reliability problems, especially issues that are certain to occur, but not easily observed. When failures are invisible or hidden, they can be missed or ignored. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the importance of making reliability issues visible. Topics include: “If [...]

Introducing Risk Management Plan Abstract Greg and Fred discuss why risk is becoming a personal issue to home owners and to all of us. They discuss aging infrastructure risk, who pays, and how to mitigate these risks. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss infrastructure risks of aging water, sewage, and power systems. [...]

What Happened to Quality? Abstract Greg and Fred discuss quality from engineering and quality points of view. Greg is developing AI engineering applications. Greg wants to build, ship, and monetize. Fred wants to build quality in. What do you think is the right way? Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss what’s happened [...]

Past Good and Bad Knowledge Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the so-called ‘bedrock documents and statistics’ that are used over and over again as if they are universally correct – even though they might have nothing to do with ‘your’ machines or systems. WHY? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss the role [...]

What is MLE? Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the three-letter acronym ‘MLE’ stands for? Well, it stands for ‘maximum likelihood estimate.’ Ever heard of it? Do you know what it means? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss what the MLE or ‘maximum likelihood estimate’ means … usually when using software to conduct [...]

Impact of IoT on Maintenance Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) on maintenance and the data feedback to the manufacturer on usage and failure data. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss on the new capabilities of products to connect with the Internet and how they [...]

No Trouble Found Issue Abstract Kirk and Fred delve into the crucial topic of managing returned parts and products, even those that are functioning perfectly. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss why parts or products returned to the manufacturer seem to have no failure on their test bench. Topics include: The cost [...]

Difference Between Quality and Reliability Statistics Abstract Philip and Fred discuss some of the basic differences and similarities between these two types of statistical toolsets. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss why it’s best to fully understand and use all the available statistial tools when faced with either quality or reliability related [...]

Dealing with Missing Data Abstract Philip and Fred discuss a few challenges and approaches to deal with missing data. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss what can be done when a dataset has missing data. Topics include: Data collection and storage issues Dealing with data points within the overall dataset Dealing with [...]

Pushing the Limits Abstract Greg and Fred discuss pushing the limits for personal and professional development. Greg discusses wearing a pink tutu to Oregon Country Faire and Burning Man. Fred discusses pushing the limits for product testing and product development. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss pushing personal, design, and testing limits. [...]

Pursuing Ribbons Abstract Greg and Fred discuss the importance of the pursuit of ribbons. What are ribbons? They are the badges, degrees, brands, and certificates that we all strive for. They confer knowledge, skills, and abilities to others. They are the things of life that we do for personal improvement and enrichment. Greg believes the [...]

Instead of Reliability Prediction Abstract Chris and Fred discuss reliability prediction and how it can relate to the ‘design’ phase when there is no data. How do you ‘predict reliability?’ Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss what reliability prediction is. There are quite a few answers to this question … and some [...]

Good Reliability Testing Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the difference between good and poor reliability testing. Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss what makes a meaningful and valuable reliability test. And more importantly, how to use test results to make valuable decisions. And to make a decision – you need to read [...]

High Precision Planning and Maintenance Abstract Philip and Fred discuss new shiny objects and why digital twins and IIOT will not solve your core problems. High Precision Planning (HPP) supports High Precision Maintenance (HPM) which is a program running in elite industries today. The emphasis on HPP is an absolute requirement to achieve HPM. The [...]

Asset Management vs Performance Abstract Philip and Fred discuss the important differences between Asset Management “Systems” and “Asset Performance”. Philip has been teaching at the university level for over 10 years as an industry expert and has concluded that adherence to Asset Management System and certification does not equate into great asset performance. There is [...]

Effect and Likelihood Abstract Carl and Fred discuss a listener question on FMEA, about reducing the severity level through mitigation strategy. Specifically, can FMEA reduce the likelihood of the effect of failure? Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how FMEA deals with mitigation of the Effect of failure. Topics include: How design [...]

Conveying FMEA Results Abstract Carl and Fred discuss an interesting listener question. The listener’s management asked him to create an “eye-popping” chart that summarizes the results on an FMEA. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how best to share the results of an FMEA with management or engineering. The emphasis is on [...]

Supply Management and Context Abstract Greg and Fred discuss why today’s business model is often based on managing an organization’s brand and outsourcing design, reliability, and quality. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss supply context and risk. Topics include: Changes in today’s business and operating models. Changes in how suppliers are evaluated [...]

Telling the Boss NO Abstract Greg and Fred discuss work communications and job politics. Greg takes the management point of view. Fred advocates the individual contributor point of view. Key Points Have you ever told your boss ‘NO’? Join Greg and Fred as they discuss boss requirements and individual work expectations. Topics include: How to [...]

Many organizations once had a long-term goal or vision. But when the founders retire, or the true leaders move on, these goals can often be replaced by the short-term. That is ... quarterly performance. This means that the 'customers' are seen as the shareholders. Not the 'true customers.' So 'true customers' suffer in the short therm. And the shareholders suffer in the 'long term.' What can you do?

Eye-Popping Stunning Results Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the challenge of being asked by someone to show (or visualize) stunning, eye-popping results for some reliability activity. How do we do this? Is this possible? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss how we go about demonstrating stunning, eye-popping results for the amount of [...]

New Position Advice Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the advice we would give a engineer just starting a career in Reliability Engineering Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the way to best way to learn and apply the many tools and methodology of reliability engineering. Topics include: First seek to understand the [...]