by
Edwin B. Dean
Reliability is defined by Blanchard (1981) as "the probability that a system or product will perform in a satisfactory manner for a given period of time when used under specified operating conditions." This definition stresses the elements of probability, satisfactory performance, time, and specified operating conditions. These four elements are very important, since each plays a significant role in determining system/product reliability." Note that each of these must be defined in the context of the object to be made reliable.
Reliability engineering may be defined simply as the bringing forth, maintenance, and evolution of the reliablility of an object.
Quality function deployment, response surface methodology, and Taguchi methods are potentially very important tools for reliability engineering.