Modern Methods for Reliability Growth Management

Studies show that the basic reliability tasks typically implemented on a development program often result in a design in which the initial reliability is below expectations. This tutorial presents data that measures the inefficiency of the basic reliability tasks and discusses reasons for this shortfall. A modern reliability growth management approach currently being applied by the U.S. Department of Defense and industry for increasing the initial reliability through more effective management and design reliability tasks is discussed. This tutorial also presents practical, state-of-the-art methods and models for addressing reliability growth test data in order to avoid pitfalls and provide appropriate and realistic information to management. These proven reliability growth design and test methodologies provide management and designers with early alerts on design issues affecting reliability and provides metrics indicating the corrective actions required to meet requirements. These methods will be illustrated by actual applications and examples.