

Speaking Of Reliability: Friends Discussing Reliability Engineering Topics | Warranty | Plant Maintenance
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Episodes
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Jun 16, 2025 • 0sec
Decisions and Metrics
Discover the pitfalls of relying on misleading metrics like Mean Time Between Failures and the importance of accurate data. Explore the roles of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) in achieving organizational goals. Learn how engineers face challenges in communicating reliability metrics and how materiality shapes decision-making. Plus, delve into the relationship between risk management and corporate decisions, especially regarding safety issues and warranty monitoring.

Jun 13, 2025 • 0sec
Communicating Complex Topics
Enrico and Fred tackle the challenges engineers face in communicating complex topics. They share tips on translating complicated data into actionable insights, making statistics more relatable. Visual communication is also highlighted, showcasing how examples and visuals can enhance understanding. The duo stresses the importance of knowing your audience, especially when presenting to management. Additionally, they explore the often-overlooked role of effective technical communication in engineering success.

Jun 9, 2025 • 0sec
Loss of Expertise
Discover the pitfalls of outsourcing in engineering and its impact on design integrity. Learn about the critical importance of selecting the right components, especially in GPU systems, where the quality of cables can make or break performance. Dive into the decline of specialized engineering roles and how prioritizing efficiency might sacrifice expertise. Explore systemic challenges in engineering and the need for strategic supplier relationships. The discussion highlights key lessons learned and encourages sharing of experiences to enhance organizational reliability.

Jun 6, 2025 • 0sec
Research Options
Kirk and Fred dive into modern research methods, discussing tools like Google Scholar and AI like ChatGPT. They emphasize the importance of verifying information, as AI can sometimes generate inaccuracies. The conversation shifts to the challenges posed by NDAs, limiting the discussion of failure causes in reliability engineering. They highlight the value of consulting colleagues and industry experts for deeper insights, alongside the evolution from traditional research methods to today's digital resources. A fascinating blend of technology and expert dialogue awaits!

Jun 2, 2025 • 0sec
Vendors and Reliability
Vendors and Reliability
Abstract
Kirk and Fred discuss the value or risks of sending failed components to the vendor for failure analysis.
Key Points
Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the best way to get accurate failure analysis (FA) of a failed component.
Topics include:
Component suppliers for high volume devices are typically not going to do a deep dive failure analysis for a small volume OEM, and the failure of their component may not be due to the component, but instead it could be caused by misapplication or misuse of the system (ESD, Voltage spikes, manufacturing damage)
Kirk and Fred discuss their experiences using a failure analysis lab to discover failure mechanisms in discrete components that would likely not be found or acknowledged by the supplier if sent to them for FA.
The best strategy for working with a manufacturer of a high-volume component to understand a failure is to first do a failure analysis independently. Then you are armed with FA data and can go to the supplier with clear evidence if the failure is due to a vendor process, or if it may be due to the system design.
Enjoy an episode of Speaking of Reliability. Where you can join friends as they discuss reliability topics. Join us as we discuss topics ranging from design for reliability techniques to field data analysis approaches.
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Show Notes
Please click on this link to access a relatively new analysis of traditional reliability prediction methods article from the US ARMY and CALCE titled “Reliability Prediction – Continued Reliance on a Misleading Approach”. It is in the public domain, so please distribute freely. Attempting to predict reliability is a misleading and costly approach to use for developing a reliable system.
You can now purchase the most recent recording of Kirk Gray’s Hobbs Engineering 8 (two 4 hour sessions) hour Webinar “Rapid and Robust Reliability Development 2022 HALT & HASS Methodologies Online Seminar” from this link.
For more information on the newest discovery testing methodology here is a link to the book “Next Generation HALT and HASS: Robust design of Electronics and Systems” written by Kirk Gray and John Paschkewitz.
The post SOR 1075 Vendors and Reliability appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

May 30, 2025 • 0sec
Mastering AI and Career
Greg and Fred dive into how AI is reshaping careers and the engineering landscape. They explore the vanishing concept of 'paying dues' in the industry and why asking the right questions matters more than the technology itself. The discussion highlights the challenges of trusting autonomous agents and the importance of foundational knowledge for effective AI application. They also tackle the intricacies of engineering governance through a real-life construction case, emphasizing the need for ethical safeguards in AI-driven decision-making.

May 26, 2025 • 0sec
Reliability Engineering Books
Dive into the world of reliability engineering literature as Chris and Fred discuss how to effectively rank these books based on their practical usefulness. They critique the flaws in Google and Amazon rankings, revealing how oversimplified texts can mislead readers. Discover the gaps in prominent resources like Fault Tree Analysis textbooks that focus on algorithms but overlook real-world applications. The conversation also touches on the value of conferences and actionable insights, urging a problem-centric approach to reading in the field.

May 23, 2025 • 0sec
Psychology and Reliability
Join Chris and Fred as they unpack the fascinating interplay between psychology and reliability engineering. They dive into the challenges faced in the nuclear industry, emphasizing how psychological factors, rather than engineering flaws, often lead to catastrophic failures. The discussion highlights our struggle with rare events, revealing that humans tend to prioritize immediate gratification over long-term safety. From examining human error in high-stakes jobs to exploring the influence of instrument design on pilot performance, this conversation offers a thought-provoking lens on reliability.

May 19, 2025 • 0sec
Better Risk Matrices
Greg and Fred dive into the intriguing world of risk management tools, specifically color-coded risk matrices. They highlight the benefits and drawbacks of these matrices, discussing their subjective nature and potential misinterpretations. The conversation touches on how individual perspectives shape risk assessment and the evolving landscape of AI's impact on decision-making. Listeners will learn about the importance of effective tools in prioritizing risks and the role of skilled facilitation in enhancing group decisions.

May 16, 2025 • 0sec
AI and Reliability Planning
Explore the intriguing role of AI in reliability planning with thoughtful insights on its integration into workflows. Discover why letting AI create reliability plans independently is a misguided approach. Learn tips for using AI effectively in interviews and discussions, while emphasizing that it should never replace human critical thinking. The conversation also highlights the importance of soft skills and communication in driving effective discussions, ensuring that unique human insights guide reliability strategies.