Phillip K. Dick (Brain Pickings, http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/09/06/how-to-build-a-universe-philip-k-dick/) Or stated another way
Reliability, is that which when you stop measuring it doesn’t go away.
Product’s fail. That is a reality. It is messy, confusing and not always obvious why. Product fail. They cease to function, they are the wrong color, they are too expensive, they were a mistaken purchased, or they degrade, crack, discolor, or fracture.
I recently saw a quote with the notion to stop complaining and do something positive. Which happens to work with my mother’s admonishment
If you have nothing good to say, say nothing.
So, while I’ve been railing against MTBF and then suggesting a better metric, my message on use something else has gotten lost. Recently on a Linkedin group discussion someone suggests yesbx.com as a sister site to nomtbf.com.
Maybe it is time to focus on a positive message around a replacement metric to MTBF. You already know my position on MTBF. So what do I recommend. Continue reading Clarity
Playing with Prezi and thought it would be fun to create one for the NoMTBF campaign.
Take a look, let me know what you think? And, feel free to use it as needed.
One of the best things about reliability engineering is the never ending opportunity to learn. We work with materials, assembly processes, and people creating and maintaining products, machines, and systems. Other engineering disciplines tend to focus on one aspect of a design or process – mechanical engineers make allowances for the circuit board location and heat transfer requirements, yet do not word on the circuits themselves.
JUST DON’T USE IT….PERIOD – a comment by Barry Snider
Endless debate on merits of MTBF is meaningless as more than one has told me. My neighbor has a bumper sticker that says Endless War with the ‘less’ crossed out and written above it ‘this’. Instead of endless debate, how about we just end this now. Stop using MTBF and all related grand averages. Use the statistics, distributions and knowledge you have to provide accurate estimates and summaries.
Jim McLeish – Mid-West Regional Manager – DfR Solutions
(Rochester Hills Michigan)
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcleish
Expanded from the RIAC Reliability Information Analysis Center Linkedin Group Discussion on
“Great challenge for change from Fred – No MTBF!”
“Endless discussion and it seems there’s no real solution to get rid of MTBF”
See original and ongoing Linkedin discussion here.
I am absolutely astonished that the reliability profession and its noted experts are unable to develop a better metric to characterize reliability performance and specify reliability requirements. I respectfully submit that there is a simple and eloquent solution that has successfully been used in the ball bearing and machine industry for decades (that actually predates MTBF/MTTF), that should be considered as a replacement to MTBF/MTTF. Continue reading Replacing MTBF with Bx
“When you’re trying to create a career as a writer, a little delusional thinking goes a long way.” – Michael Lewis
Or when trying to eradicate MTBF – although I don’t think so.
In a conversion with a colleague I mentioned the amount of traffic the NoMTBF site has been enjoying. For what started simply as a device for a discussion, the No MTBF movement has turned into quite an endeavor. We talked about the idea that unless someone starts and stays with the effort, MTBF will continue to erode the credibility of reliability engineering. We talked about the idea that unless we started the discussion to only use MTBF when it is proper to do so, that we would be plagued by the rampant misunderstanding and misuse for decades to come.
Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune. ~ Jim Rohn
The learning never stops. As a reliability engineer we constantly have something to learn. For those unfamiliar with reliability engineering, they have a lot to learn. From new Continue reading Teacher and Student
As a reliability engineer we work across the organization to bring a reliable product to market. The value of meeting the customers reliability expectations results in customer satisfactions, increased sales and in some cases premium pricing. We want a reliable product. Being a pivotal element in the process means you have provided value to the organization and to their customers. Continue reading Value
Part of what appears to be a series on what it takes to be a really good reliability engineer.
For professionals knowing enough of the right people, helping them solve issues, and asking them for assistance when needed is essential. This is what I mean by networking. Continue reading Networked and Positive
Part one is available till the end of July for free download, and part two is schedule in the September issue. Download journal and consider joining at http://buff.ly/1cHwtkU
The post on ethics and MTBF and the comments has me thinking about what it means to be a talented and professional reliability engineer. Continue reading Talented and Professional
by Andrew Rowland, CRE – a contributed paper.
Andrew is back with a paper describing using non-parametric approach to maintenance data. While not mentioning MTBF (which is good) the paper does provide alternatives to using a overly simply (i.e. MTBF) analysis of maintenance data.
A well written case study and analysis will provide you inspiration to try it yourself. Continue reading Nuclear Power Plant Electronic System Reliability Study