The Ethics of MTBF
The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) has a code of ethics. As expected. Other professional groups also have similar code of ethics that provide guidance to their members and set expectations for everyone.
The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) has a code of ethics. As expected. Other professional groups also have similar code of ethics that provide guidance to their members and set expectations for everyone.
Do all components follow the bathtub curve? Is it possible to generate a bathtub curve for a component?
Thanks for your thoughts and insights!
V.
This is a good question. Continue reading Bathtub Myth
Let’s Create a NoMTBF Non-User’s Group Today
Those that read this blog regularly know that I, along with many others, have some passion for the eradication of MTBF from common use. We make arguments, create examples, describe the errors and encourage using other methods. The campaign seems to be going along well. Yet MTBF is still in use – in standards, in certifications, and even taught by those that should really know better. We’re making progress, but there is much more yet to do. Continue reading NoMTBF Non-Users Group
This note is the second part of my response to a forum entry by HL concerning two arguments he is attempting to refute. Of course, my arguments for the eradication of MTBF may stir up some resistance. My plea to use a better approach may challenge the status quo or ruffle a few feathers. So be it. That is expected. Continue reading Please don’t remove MTBF, part 2
A forum post recently correctly found two of my many arguments for the eradication of MTBF incorrect or invalid. Maybe the author (HL) has a valid point. Let’s take a closer look at the note and the writer’s reasoning. Continue reading Please don’t remove MTBF part 1
The mean time between failure (MTBF) is arguably the most prolific metric in the field of reliability engineering. The MTBF is used as a metric throughout a product’s life-cycle; from requirements, to validation, to operational assessment. Unfortunately, MTBF alone doesn’t tell us too much. Continue reading MTBF: What is it Good For?
In the NoMTBF newsletter I’ve announced a contest for this site.
I’d like to invite you to write a guest post on MTBF, either good or bad, for or against, a case study or how-to-use article. Just something about MTBF.
Then, if during the week we post it the site reaches a new record for visits, I’ll send you a shiny new NoMTBF logo coffee mug. Continue reading NoMTBF guest post Challenge
MTBF is a common reliability metric. It is totally useless in most applications. So, why do we use it? And what can we do as reliability professionals to lead our industries away from using MTBF?
A recent set of forum discussions raised the idea that we use MTBF because our customers require it. Another writer suggested that MTBF is useful because it has been in use for so long, and therefore it must be useful. Another writer advertised their offer to determine MTBF for you for a small charge. Continue reading MTBF Leadership
This is a short interactive note that let’s you play with different β values and compare the impact for a simple calculation. You may need to download and install the free Wolfram Player and plugin for your browser. You can find it at
<http://www.wolfram.com/cdf-player/
The value of any task is in the result, although a few may argue about the value in the journey itself. For reliability engineering tasks, the ability to use the output of an experiment or analysis to make decisions permits an organization to derive value from the tasks. Despite a few organizations that insist on Continue reading Value and MTBF
If you want to make enemies, try to change something ~Woodrow Wilson
Newton had it right, objects at rest tend to remain at rest, and objects in motion tend to stay in motion. We can say that both states resist changing into the other state unless some force acts on the object. You can feel this resistance when going around a corner in a car. You body seems to want to continue straight and it is the seat, belt buckle, door frame that conspire to bring you along with the car around the corner. Continue reading Change from 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. Continue reading Just muttering MTBF
This past week I’ve heard from a few that have taken the ASQ Certified Reliability Engineer exam. The common comment was on the use of MTBF and the exponential distribution. It seems to emphasized.
That is bad. Continue reading CRE BoK use of MTBF
Seeing a book announcement for Duke Okes Performance Metrics: The Levers for Process Improvement made me think. The except titled “Psychological Impact of Metrics” included the notion that metrics drive behavior. That isn’t new, yet Duke went on to provide a way to determine the worthiness of metrics. Continue reading MTBF as a Metric