Just muttering MTBF

Anyone that knows me understands that even muttering MTBF in a conversation or even in passing will generally set me off on a anti MTBF tirade. My better friends tend to avoid the topic altogether. And those that are curious about ‘why’ will ask me. In the process I hope to help you think about MTBF and the many issues around its use, and to make or improve friendships.

I’ve written about past work and listed presentations and papers related to MTBF and the problems it brings. I’ve encourage you to take action, buy a NoMTBF coffee mug or button, engage your peers, and use Reliability rather than MTBF for product goals. Again, all attempts to get everyone to understand and use the best available tools and techniques for your situation. BTW MTBF is far from a ‘best practice’.

The website and Linkedin group continue to enjoy increasing traffic and discussions. There even is a growing mailing list for NoMTBF (I’ll need to create a newsletter – hint: send me articles or examples of defeating the use of MTBF in your area for the newsletter). We are slowing making progress and expanding the discussion to more and more everyday. Thanks!

Another venue that we can tap is presentations. We can post to Slideshare and embed on this site. We call can learn how to persuade each other and our colleagues on the perils of MTBF, the mistakes its use may cause, and learn about the better options that are available. I know we have a presentation from myself and Dell and a recent addition from Grundfos, I’m sure there are more out there.

Therefore, this short note is to request you either send me your presentation or paper (with permission to post on NoMTBF.com) or a link to where it available. If you’d like, please add the response you received or the success achieved to complete the story.

The idea is to share what is working with others. To encourage others to actively work to eradicate MTBF. And, to spare my friends from my mutterings (tirades).

About Fred Schenkelberg

I am an experienced reliability engineering and management consultant with my firm FMS Reliability. My passion is working with teams to create cost-effective reliability programs that solve problems, create durable and reliable products, increase customer satisfaction, and reduce warranty costs.

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