How Do You Define Reliability? (2024)

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R. Keith Mobley How Do You Define Reliability? (1)

R. Keith Mobley

Executive Advisor, Reliability, Operating Dynamics Modeling, Predictive Analytics & Risk Management

Published Feb 17, 2020

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Over the past few weeks, we have had a running dialogue about failures and related topics. Perhaps its time to tackle reliability.

If you asked one hundred people to define reliability, ninety-nine would respond with something like, “The ability of an item to perform a required function under stated conditions for a specified period of time.” This definition can be sources to the Dictionary of Military and Associate Terms, published by the Department of Defense in 2005. Since then it has morphed into the go-to definition for any discussion of reliability, but is this the real definition of reliability?

If you look up the root word of reliability, the definition is “Consistently good in quality or performance; able to be trusted. A person or thing with trustworthy qualities. It also means dependable, well-founded, authentic, valid, genuine, trustworthy, committed, unfailing, infallible, and constant. The definitions are the same, but when interpreted carry different meanings.

Since the majority of readers are focused on capital or tangible assets, let me couch true reliability in this way. First, we will stipulate that your assets are perfectly designed for reliability; have been installed and commissioned with absolute adherence to best practices. Now what must you do to sustain their reliability and prolong that reliability for their full economic useful life.

I am reasonably sure that you would respond with proper operation and maintenance are necessary, but is that enough? What about the production planning and scheduling function’s decision to run a non-standard product that will cause significant damage; or the sales department promising short delivery that forces, production scheduling to defer maintenance windows; or procurement’s decision to substitute non-spec. materials or parts; or the executive leadership’s decision to reduce operating costs and headcount.

Do any of these decisions impact the inherent reliability of the tangible assets? Of course, they do, but when we discuss reliability decision-making and the way work is planned, scheduled and executed is not included in the conversation. The only way that a plant, company or enterprise can be reliable is when everything from the way individual employees think through how they work together as a team must be consistent, repeatable, well-founded—in other words reliable.

Josh S.

Independent Oil & Energy Professional

4y

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Are you alluding to the asset management strategy?

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Abdulrahman Alkhowaiter

Machinery & Reliability Industrial Consultant. Unconventional Solutions to Machinery Failure; Finding The Failure Mice. All Opinions are the authors personal opinions.

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Thank you for raising a good question on basics. Here is an article on how to define Equipment Reliability by Mike Sondalini:http://www.lifetime-reliability.com/free-articles/reliability-improvement/What_is_Equipment_Reliability_and_How_Do_You_Get_It.pdf

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Sundar Kumar VasanthGovindarajulu (V. G.)

Director, Sri Balaji Maintenance Services

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Very well enunciated. The reasons mentioned for reliability erosion due to abusing (performing jobs which need higher capacity), avoiding scheduled maintenance due to pressure from PPC or due to decrease of head count, are definitely important. Needs to be addressed for the sake of better ROI.

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JD Solomon

How to Get Your Boss's Boss to Understand by Communicating with FINESSE | Solutions for people, facilities, infrastructure, and the environment.

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Reliability, availability, and dependability are all closely associated terms that are often confused by technical professional. The public usually uses reliability and dependability interchangeably, and if you notice commercials in appears that reliability is most in vogue now. In qualitative surveys, two key principles are validity and reliability, and reliability in this case means repeatable. Not sure the world will ever get to a single universal definition. Good discussion topic.

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Robert (Bob) Latino

Principal at Prelical Solutions, LLC.

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Great, practical post as usual R. Keith Mobley. I thought this article may interest you on this related topic, "What is Reliability Engineering?". This is from the perspective of people outside of our Reliability 'bubble' that we live in.https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-reliability-engineering-robert-bob-latino/.I would be interested in your take on this perspective?

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How Do You Define Reliability? (2024)

FAQs

How Do You Define Reliability? ›

If you look up the root word of reliability, the definition is “Consistently good in quality or performance; able to be trusted. A person or thing with trustworthy qualities. It also means dependable, well-founded, authentic, valid, genuine, trustworthy, committed, unfailing, infallible, and constant.

What is the best definition of reliability? ›

Reliability is defined as the probability that a product, system, or service will perform its intended function adequately for a specified period of time, or will operate in a defined environment without failure.

What is the best definition of reliable? ›

1. : suitable or fit to be relied on : dependable. 2. : giving the same result on successive trials.

What does being reliability mean? ›

Reliability is considered to be a soft skill. To be reliable means to complete tasks on time, every time with the same high quality of work. Showing up on time, taking charge in moments of crisis, and respecting deadlines are some of the things that are expected from someone who is considered a reliable person.

What are the four components of reliability? ›

Figure 1 shows the four key elements to reliability: function, probability of success, duration and environment.

How do you explain reliability? ›

Reliability refers to how consistently a method measures something. If the same result can be consistently achieved by using the same methods under the same circ*mstances, the measurement is considered reliable. You measure the temperature of a liquid sample several times under identical conditions.

What makes good reliability? ›

In general, a test-retest correlation of +. 80 or greater is considered to indicate good reliability. Again, high test-retest correlations make sense when the construct being measured is assumed to be consistent over time, which is the case for intelligence, self-esteem, and the Big Five personality dimensions.

What is the example of reliability? ›

Reliability measures consistency. For example, a scale should show the same weight if the same person steps on it twice. If a scale first shows 130 pounds then shows 150 pounds after five minutes, that scale is not reliable, nor is it valid.

What is the definition of a reliable person? ›

adjective. able to be trusted; predictable or dependable.

How do you explain if something is reliable? ›

Reliable information must come from dependable sources. According to UGA Libraries, a reliable source will provide a “thorough, well-reasoned theory, argument, etc. based on strong evidence.” Widely credible sources include: Scholarly, peer-reviewed articles and books.

What is reliability in one sentence? ›

the quality of being able to be trusted or believed because of working or behaving well: Rolls-Royce cars are famous for their quality and reliability. The entire office is dependent on her reliability and competence.

How to show reliability? ›

To demonstrate reliability in the workplace, consistently meet deadlines and fulfill commitments. Communicate transparently about workload and timelines, ensuring colleagues are informed. Be punctual and consistent in attendance, minimizing unplanned absences.

How to be a reliable person? ›

If you are wondering how to become a more reliable professional, we have some practical advice that will be very useful to you.
  1. Learn to manage activities. ...
  2. Communicate proactively. ...
  3. Carry out commitments. ...
  4. Train self-discipline. ...
  5. Always choose sincerity. ...
  6. Respect your time and that of others. ...
  7. Don't betray your values ​​

What are the 3 C's of reliability? ›

Credibility, capability, compatibility and reliability (the 3Cs + R te.

What are the 3 R's of reliability? ›

The three R's are Reliability, Resiliency and Recoverability and they are connected. Unplanned events that are not covered with reliability then become a resiliency event. Events that are not handled through resiliency can become a recovery event. ScienceDirect 2 paints the picture of this progression.

What are the 5 reliability behaviors? ›

High Reliability Organizations (HROs) are organizations that achieve safety, quality, and efficiency goals by employing 5 central principles: (1) sensitivity to operations (ie, heightened awareness of the state of relevant systems and processes); (2) reluctance to simplify (ie, the acceptance that work is complex, with ...

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