Traditional Reliability Growth Analysis

Depending on the data type and the model selected, the reliability growth data folio can be used to perform several different types of analysis. The Growth Data Folios topic provides general information that is applicable for any type of analysis (e.g., choosing a data type, specifying the time units, using the control panel, etc.). This topic provides more focused information about using the reliability growth data folio specifically for traditional reliability growth analysis.

This type of analysis is performed with data from in-house reliability growth testing that was conducted during the developmental stages for a product. The analysis assumes that all fixes (i.e., permanent design improvements) are applied immediately after failure and before testing resumes, and that a reliability growth model can be fitted to the data in order to track how the reliability changes over time. The metrics of interest may include the reliability, MTBF, failure intensity, expected number of failures for a given time or the amount of testing that will be required to demonstrate a specified reliability.

The following topics will be discussed:

• Data types and models

• Analysis results

• QCP calculations and plots

• Example for failure times data

• Example for discrete (success/failure) data

• Special analysis methods, including:

• • Change of Slope Analysis

  • Gap Analysis

  • Failure Discounting