Book Description

Phadke was trained in robust design techniques by GenichiTaguchi, the mastermind behind Japanese quality manufacturingtechnologies and the father of Japanese quality control.Taguchi's approach is currently under consideration to beadopted as a student protocol with the US govrnment. Theforeword is written by Taguchi. This book offers a completeblueprint for structuring projects to achieve rapidcompletion with high engineering productivity during theresearch and development phase to ensure that high qualityproducts can be made quickly and at the lowest possible cost.Some topics covered are: orthogonol arrays, how to constructorthogonal arrays, computer-aided robutst design techniques,dynamic systems design methods, and more.

Customer Reviews (3)

Insightful and Easy to read
Dr. Phadke has written the most clear book on the Robust Design method.I was able to follow the book with medium statistical and engineering knowledge and gained valueable knowledge.This is a must read for all engineering managers!

How to do Robust Design
Phadke gives a versatily, easy to read introduction into the on-target philosophy and the Quality Loss Function.

Many examples are taken from real case studies (e.g. from Xerox and ITT), covering mechanics, electronics and computer systems. These are good to inspire your own improvement projects.

Unfortunately, the most verstile characteristic is not treated (dynamic characteristic).

A good starter for engineers getting into Robust Design.
This is one of the earliest books on the subject.It gives an attractive treatment of the concepts and techniques of Robust Design, but is by now dated in view of the ideas that have been advanced and discussed among theprofessionals in the past decade.I look forward to a new edition of thebook. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Good overall review of metrics and methods.
A very thorough treatment of Software Engineering metrics.Good graphics.Good explanations.Much better than other books in this area.

Great book!
This book is a must have for all the managers and profesionals that need a complete and detailed reference for software metrics.It provides clear explanations and examples.It is very easy to read and very practical.

Real World Proven
As the System Test Team Leader for the Quality Technology area, I had to certify many of the tools and procedures used by Stephen Kan.Prior to that, as a System Administrator, I had to run software metrics on those tools, like those shown in table 6.3.As a design review moderator, I was charged with leading a number of IR, IE and I0 reviews.

THIS STUFF WORKS!

I can attest personally to the great effort and many find minds that worked together to develop and implement fine tools such as DCR, PTR, PTF and APAR, as well as the brilliantly simple, effective ways of implementing Continuous Quality Improvement techniques such as DPP.What Kan has written is real-world honest and true, not some academic exercise.

Kan is dead-right on the money.If you want to track, predict and manage things in the real world, this is how you do it.At PSQT '97, Tom Gilb told me that SEI should create a new CMM "Level Six" designation for the way Kan and the others at IBM Rochester have dealt with software quality.That's how good the stuff in this book is.

I am particularly impressed by how Kan has woven in not only his work and IBM Rochester as a whole, but also the work of others throughout the industry in such a simple, clear, easy to understand manner.

Yet, given that the book is an easy read, that many of the techniques are easy to do, and that I see this book on the shelves of many IT managers, it baffles me why so few people and so few companies actually implement this stuff.I suspect that politics and corporate culture is what's holding back so many companies from enjoying the success, efficiency, and frankly the FUN of working in a continually measuring, continually refining work environment such as Kan describes.

For example, Defect Removal Effectiveness is a very simple metric to gather.In a typical medium sized software company, or in the I.T. department of a large company, the head of testing and the head of phone support could easily enough get together and compare the number of bugs found in testing the last release with the number of bugs found in the field after that release was deployed.Both areas already have their problem logs, and if they can't directly pull counts and totals, it's typically only a few minutes work for the right programmer.So what's the hold up?It's not that the metric is hard to understand, or an academic exercise, or that the numbers are hard to get.It's that people have a hard time admitting that "their baby is ugly".The good of the company, stopping bugs from getting to the field, conflicts with the good of the testing manager, who doesn't want to risk admitting that problems got past them.

Therefore, I think it would be a fine addition to this book if Kan could write another chapter which deals with the human side of the equation.The book thus far presumes an interest in software metrics and appropriate management support from the top levels down.What would move this book from worker's bookshelves to their desks, and keep this book open and used on a daily basis, would be some ideas on how to garner and build support for implementing software metrics and TQM practices across an organization.People want to do this; that's why this book gets sold.Unfortunately, people aren't empowered to do so, which is why many times this excellent book sits on a shelf.

Paul Walchak

Second Ed. even better!
This is one of the most highly regarded books on software quality.If you have never read the first edition it was one of the few books that covered software quality in depth, going well beyond metrics and models into strategies for achieving quality, and understanding the underlying principles and mechanics.That edition had a lot of life left in it, but this second edition is one of the most complete rewrites of any technical book I've read in recent memory, and if you own the first edition you may want to consider retiring it and investing in this edition.

While the first edition packed a lot of information in 344 pages, the 560 pages that comprise this edition reflect new chapters and expanded content in the chapters that remain. Here is a list of the new chapters:

- Chapter 10, In-Process Metrics for Software Testing
- Chapter 12, Metrics and Lessons Learned for Object-Oriented Projects (in lieu of the old Chapter 12 titled AS/400 Quality Management)
- Chapter 13, Availability Metrics
- Chapter 15, Conducting In-Process Quality Assessments
- Chapter 16, Conducting Software Project Assessments (the project assessment questionnaire example in the appendix is a valuable companion to this chapter)
- Chapter 17, Dos and Don'ts of Software Process Improvement (contributed by Patrick O'Toole)
- Chapter 18, Using Function Point Metrics to Measure Software Process Improvement (Contributed by Capers Jones)

Among the new chapters I most like are Availability Metrics (Chapter 13), because of the direct tie to production, and Dos and Don'ts of Software Process Improvement (Chapter 17) because of the practical and objective advice. This book will remain, in my opinion, one of the definitive texts on software quality and is one I highly recommend.

Review
Solid information which not covers the basic development lifecycle and it's components but also the bigger picture e.g. predictive analyses, reflective metrics, customer satisfaction measurement, etc. A good read, informative and it won't scare a novice. Recommended. ... Read more

Book Description
This volume contains virtually all the information an engineer would need to function as a quality engineer. The author covers management methods and statistical methods of quality in an integrative manner –unlike other books on the subject, which focus primarily on one of the two areas of quality.Illustrates the use of quality methods with many real world examples drawn from the author’s consulting work. Helps students understand and solve real problems with mini projects throughout. Uses a reader-friendly writing style that makes material more approachable and encourages self-study. Covers the must-know fundamentals of probability and statistics in one chapter (Chapter 2). Makes extensive use of computer software to illustrate the use of computer in solving quality problems.A useful reference for engineers and technical personnel in industry wanting to learn the tools of quality; also for candidates preparing for the exams to qualify as a certified quality engineer (CQE) of the Am. Soc. Of Quality. ... Read more

Book Description
"This book is a great demonstration of this powerful approach and how it can make a meaningful difference in any type of business. It takes a dedicated engineering approach to implement, but the payback in customer satisfaction and growth is dramatic."
—Lou Giuliano, chairman, president, and CEO, ITT Industries

No other single volume presents the full breadth of founding beliefs behind the successful engineering practices used by today's leading companies. Helpful to companies in both manufacturing and service industries, Taguchi's Quality Engineering Handbook provides accessible material on such topics as:

• Quality loss function
• On-line quality engineering
• Signal-to-noise ratio
• Robust engineering
• Design of experiments (known as the "Taguchi method")
• Mahalanobis–Taguchi Systems (MTS)
• and more.

Customer Reviews (3)

Three words Excellent Excellent and Excellent
Really Good book. Book is written very consciously keeping all aspect of most promising but controversial topic.

AWESOME BOOK!!! SIMPLY GREAT!
well, if you are like me, always busy, and trying to find new answers to unknown problems using taguchi or other quality engineering problems, THIS IS YOUR BOOK!! this book has great cases, applicable to MANY INDUSTRIES!! it is like my Bible, i tried to sell it once, and simply BROKE MY HEART and I COULD NOT!!

This book, is an excellent job, I WISHED ONLY I WISHED!!! that my tractor or my previous car (CHEVY) was designed using REAL ROBUST DESIGN METHODS BY TAGUCHI, in that way, I would not need to go to the repair shop every now and then... :=), enjoy guys, it is simply a MASTER PIECE! considering that I worked for a japanese company as well, this book is great!!! BUY IT you won't regret it... if you love this stuff as much as I DO!!Regards Marco Sisfontes, Phd, NYC.

The Qiuality Engineering Manual
The handbook gives the true foundation for the supply of quality products or services. It focuses on the design of the product and it's need to perform correctly in the customer's use environment.

The thing I really like is the inclusion of case studies. The addition of actual applications enhances the understanding of the theory presented in the first part of the book. The case studies are also good thought starters for your applications. ... Read more

Book Description
Written by one of the foremost authorities on the subject, the Second Edition is completely revised to reflect the latest changes to the ASQ Body of Knowledge for the Certified Quality Engineer (CQE). This handbook covers every essential topic required by the quality engineer for day-to-day practices in planning, testing, finance, and management and thoroughly examines and defines the principles and benefits of Six Sigma management and organization. The Quality Engineering Handbook provides new and expanded sections on management systems, leadership and facilitation principles and techniques, training, customer relations, documentation systems, domestic and international standards, and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

GreatResource
Why I initialy purchased it as a study aid, I have found it to be an excellent resource providing practical examples for on the job use.

Good book - can be found cheaper
New @ asq.org for less. Why is it so much higher here?

Useful and Good But ...
As other reviewers mentioned, Pyzdek can help you make it over the CQE exam hurdle. In fact it is probably helpful for those who wish to clear the CQM or CQT hurdles. It may aslo be a helpful supplament for Six-Sigma folks. The volume also serves competently as a handbook and reference. Importantly, it includes an adequate bibilography so that the reader can easily pursue more specialized or more fundamental soruces.

But ...

Neither the material nor the presentation distinguishes this book from its many competitors.

Too often the index enties have incorrect page numbers. In an age of computer automated indexing, mistakes of this kind really grate on a reader who expects more. Further, a quality handbook should set a better example!

OK - but just
I bought this book to prepare for the ASQ CQE exam.This was my primary reference book and I did pass the exam - so there must be some merit to this book.However, it is frustrating.My criticisms include:

- the index doesn't point to the right pages, making it very difficult to use (especially in an open book exam)
- some of the graphs have no labelling at all (Fig IV.28)
- some material is repeated (eg central limit theorem)

This book has some good stuff in it and is aimed at getting you through the CQE exam.It will also be useful for a practicing quality engineer.However, it is in many cases separate articles, procedures and discussions stuck together with little flow.A good review and editing would do a lot for this book.

A concise study book for taking and passing the CQE test.
This book has just the right amount of pictures and charts to balance the text.I wanted a study book that would be used as a day to day reference and something that I could use during my CQE test to "jog" my memory.The numerous graphs help me to answer generic SPC problems better than all that verbage found in other "helpful texts". ... Read more

Book Description
The one resource needed to create reliable software

This text offers a comprehensive and integrated approach to software quality engineering. By following the author's clear guidance, readers learn how to master the techniques to produce high-quality, reliable software, regardless of the software system's level of complexity.

The first part of the publication introduces major topics in software quality engineering and presents quality planning as an integral part of the process. Providing readers with a solid foundation in key concepts and practices, the book moves on to offer in-depth coverage of software testing as a primary means to ensure software quality; alternatives for quality assurance, including defect prevention, process improvement, inspection, formal verification, fault tolerance, safety assurance, and damage control; and measurement and analysis to close the feedback loop for quality assessment and quantifiable improvement.

The text's approach and style evolved from the author's hands-on experience in the classroom. All the pedagogical tools needed to facilitate quick learning are provided:
* Figures and tables that clarify concepts and provide quick topic summaries
* Examples that illustrate how theory is applied in real-world situations
* Comprehensive bibliography that leads to in-depth discussion of specialized topics
* Problem sets at the end of each chapter that test readers' knowledge

This is a superior textbook for software engineering, computer science, information systems, and electrical engineering students, and a dependable reference for software and computer professionals and engineers.Download Description
"The one resource needed to create reliable software

This text offers a comprehensive and integrated approach to software quality engineering. By following the author's clear guidance, readers learn how to master the techniques to produce high-quality, reliable software, regardless of the software system's level of complexity.

The first part of the publication introduces major topics in software quality engineering and presents quality planning as an integral part of the process. Providing readers with a solid foundation in key concepts and practices, the book moves on to offer in-depth coverage of software testing as a primary means to ensure software quality; alternatives for quality assurance, including defect prevention, process improvement, inspection, formal verification, fault tolerance, safety assurance, and damage control; and measurement and analysis to close the feedback loop for quality assessment and quantifiable improvement.

The text's approach and style evolved from the author's hands-on experience in the classroom. All the pedagogical tools needed to facilitate quick learning are provided:
* Figures and tables that clarify concepts and provide quick topic summaries
* Examples that illustrate how theory is applied in real-world situations
* Comprehensive bibliography that leads to in-depth discussion of specialized topics
* Problem sets at the end of each chapter that test readers' knowledge

This is a superior textbook for software engineering, computer science, information systems, and electrical engineering students, and a dependable reference for software and computer professionals and engineers." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Tian: Software Quality Engineering
Not too impressive. Lots of grammatical errors. Concepts are poorly explained. No one I know has heard of this book ... Read more

Book Description

Many have heard that six sigma methods are necessary to survive, let alone thrive, in todays competitive markets, but are not really sure what the methods are or how or when to use them.

Book Description
This title is a substantial revision of one of the leading textbooks designed for the statistical quality control course taught in departments of industrial engineering, operations research and statistics . While maintaining its already successful writing style and pedagogy, this title has also incorporated key organizational changes in order to reflect recent trends in the field. The text features large quantity of examples and student problems and a strong introduction to the proper use and misuse of control charts. In this edition several chapters were streamlined, and consolidations and profitability were brought forward in the text. There is new material on experimental design, a reduced emphasis on acceptance sampling, and enhanced attention to the managerial and organizational aspects of quality control. Free SPC expert software is packaged with the text for use as a statistical and graphical tool. Text plus 3.5" diskette. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

the book that started it all, price insane
5 star for the book. 1 star for the price.
This can be considered THE classic on the subject. It is also well written, explaining exactly what one is trying to achieve and how statistics fit that bill. As a newbie on the subject and not being a fan of math, I found this book the best explanation for the entire concept of using statistic and sampling to achieve certain levels of quality. Perhaps because it starts at the very beginning of the issue of quality and consistency, it is easy to grasp.

I wanted to point out that McGraw Hill sells this book in forign markets, still in english, for less than ten bucks, paperback version. Given that, I strongly suggest one hunt around the net.

Painful to use.
This book is horrible.

This book is outdated (it comes with a floppy disk that I havn't found to work on any computer). It also provides very few examples as to grasp what is being talked about in the material. There are also (from the limited answers provided) answers that are wrong. This book is also extremely expensive for the amount of material provided. I have seen many books provide much more information for half the price.

Just thought I'd chip in my own two cents since the other reviews seem oddly impresonal and similar (the two that are different).

Undisputably the best for practitioners in this field!
This book has been around for about half a century, yet it is still the very best among just about as many similar titles in SQC.It is full of statistical and practical insights into all that a quality practitionerneeds to know about the subject.I used the book as a student, and amstill using it as a professor, and as an Academician of the InternationalAcademy for Quality.

Undisputably the best for practitioners in this field.
This book has been around for about half century, yet it is still the very best among just about as many similar titles in SQC.It is full of statistical and practical insights into all that a quality practitionerneeds to know about the subject.I used the book as a student, and amstill using this book as a professor, and as an Academician of theInternational Academy for Quality.

A Qaulity Control Engineer's desk reference
It has not been easy to find a book on Quality Control which covers all the basics and depth on this subject.This is ONE book which I strongly recommend to all readers who wish to analyse the different methods in Statistical Quality Control. Many readers, will be surprised, just like me on the depth of the material.The organisation and presentation of the material is first class. Although this book is usable in college level teaching in this subject, but I find it much more meaningful as a practicing guide. The writers have demonstrated their wealth of knowledge in this book. I guarded it as a MUST read book for practioner in SQC. ... Read more

Book Description
Powerful and elegantly simple.

Achieve higher quality...lower costs...faster time to market

Companies worldwide have used the methods of quality expert Genichi Taguchi for the past 30 years with phenomenal product development cost savings and quality improvements. Robust Engineering, by this three-time Deming Prize winner, along with Subir Chowdhury and Shin Taguchi, is the first book to explain and illustrate his newest, most revolutionary methodology, Technology Development. It joins Design of Experiments and Robust Design as the framework on which your company can build a competitive edge. Case studies of real-world organizations Ford, ITT, 3M, Minolta, NASA, Nissan, Xerox and 9 others show you how the techniques of all three methodologies can be successfully applied. You'll hammer flexibility into your manufacturing organization to minimize product development costs, reduce product time-to-market, and fully satisfy customers needs.

Project Management is going to be huge in the next decade...--Fortune

Busy managers single-source guide to planning, organizing and controlling projects

At last there's a concise, compact (5Ó x 8Ó) hands-on guide that puts state-of-the-art management concepts and processes at your fingertips. Project Manager's Portable Handbook, by David I. Cleland and Lewis R. Ireland, is your step-by-step guide to the nuts-and-bolts details that spell project management success. YouÕre shown how to organize and manage everything from small to multiple projects...lead and coach project team members...and manage within a strategic context from project partnering to dealing with the board of directors and other stakeholders. You'll find out how to: Select and use PM software; Develop winning proposals; Handle legal considerations; Come out on top in contract ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

shoud rename the title
I'm also surprised by 4 stars & other praises of this book (e.g., Fortune).

the book should be renamed "Case Studies of Taguchi Method" and the "authors" should be renamed as "editors"

it also does not telll you the method & its statistical basis, its strength & weakness compared with other methods, its assumptions and so forth. In addition, it lacks a biblography. Overall, we are just supposed to take a leap of faith. The book feels like "informercial"

A great advertisement, but short on implementation.
I am a little bemused by the previous reviews.Being a practicing engineer, I had hoped for an more rigorous introduction to applying robust engineering principles, coupled to real life engineering examples.What I got was essentially a book length advertisement aimed at people who don't need or want to know how to do it, merely order someone else to apply the techniques.If you are a manager considering implementing robust engineering practices and design of experiments, by all means, read the book and convince yourself and your boss it is the way to go.If you actually want to use the techniques, buy a different book.

Robust Engineering is the most powerful tool
Robust Engineering book is the world wide collections of best case studiesof Robust Engineering. In Chapter 1 and 2 authors gave a basic explanation of Robust Engineering and implementation strategy which is very easy to understand for any reader. This is book is the absolute necessary for anyleaders, managers or engineers who want to re-shape their organization andby reading this book they will understand the powerfulness of RobustEngineering.

Interesting
An interesting read.Well written and full of unique ideas.Can be used to accomplish major improvements in any organization. ... Read more

Book Description
Through four editions, Juran’s Quality Planning and Analysis has provided students and professionals with an authoritative treatment of the subject that goes beyond statistical techniques.

The fifth edition of this highly regarded classic book on managing for quality, Juran’s Quality Planning and Analysis for Enterprise Quality, combines the pioneering concepts of Dr. Joseph M. Juran and the teachings of the late Dr. Frank M. Gryna with the insights and experience of today’s leading trainers and practitioners at the Juran Institute: Dr. Richard Chua, Executive VP and Joseph A. DeFeo, President & Executive Coach.

The trademark Juran Institute approach has been retained, developing the viewpoint that the achievement of quality products and services requires the application of managerial, technological, statistical, and behavioral actions throughout all functions of an organization.With real-world problems provided in each chapter, students are faced with realities that confront managers, designers, engineers, marketers, operations personnel, users, and others involved in enterprise quality.

This text will challenge readers to make assumptions, estimate economics, reach data-driven conclusions, and adapt themselves to the imperfect world of the practitioner.Students and professionals will also find this book useful as they prepare for various certifications such as the Certified Quality Engineer, Reliability Engineer, Quality Manager, Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Updated classic
This book provides an exceptionally comprehensive treatment of managing for quality in the context of an overall enterprise (take a look at the table of contents).It is a great introductory text to the basic concepts of quality management that underly various continuous improvement initiatives of recent years (e.g., Lean Six Sigma), with lots of real-life examples to help illustrate important tools and methods.Additionally, it is a practical reference for more detailed topics such as statistical data analysis, hypothesis testing, and DOE.This is a new edition (the prior edition was published in 2001), and has some new features that help facilitate its use as a course textbook, including Minitab® problem sets, instructor's manual, and web links.Unlike some technical texts, it does a good job in treating topics in bite-sized sections that don't leave the reader exhausted.I'd recommend this book to anyone that practices quality management, may be involved in quality improvement initiatives, or is in operations or engineering disciplines. ... Read more

Book Description
This manual discusses how the Total Quality Management (TQM) of the production and manufacturing environment can be modified, implemented, and measured within the engineering project environment. It aims to integrate predominant quality philosophy with organization research. ... Read more

Book Description

* As one of the most trusted resources for learning about quality control principles and techniques, this readable and not-too technical treatment makes for a classic must-have
* Comprehensive coverage of all areas contributing to quality including understanding customer needs, product development, supplier relations, marketing, and more
* Includes the six sigma strategy for quality improvement ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

a really good book on a subject that can be boring
Because of work, I have had to read a lot of books on this topic... most of them are dry-textbook reads that you have to slog through. This one was well written - the text was easy to read - the diagrams and examples were interesting, and I found myself gaining new insights because I was actually reading the text instead of skimming it. Mr. Gryna clearly has the years of experience needed to write this kind of book, but he also has the teaching style of one of your favorite teachers.

Practical Methods for Administering Quality Systems
20 years before anyone in the US heard of ISO 9000, Juran proposed the same ideas.He described comprehensive, documented quality management systems that were backed up by performance metrics and quality audits.Juran also pioneered quality circles and teams long before these ideasbecame cliche.

I find Juran immensely useful in my quality practice. This book remains one the standard works that I keep going back to. Juran's concepts are much more "applied" than"theoretical".Deming's works seem so distant, and esoteric. Juran has been there, done that.And, his methods work!

Practical Methods for Administering Quality Systems
20 years before anyone in the US heard of ISO 9000, Juran proposed the same ideas.He described comprehensive, documented quality management systems that were backed up by performance metrics and quality audits.Juran also pioneered quality circles and teams long before these ideasbecame cliche.

I find Juran immensely useful in my quality practice. This book remains one the standard works that I keep going back to. Juran's concepts are much more "applied" than"theoretical".Deming's works seem so distant, and esoteric. Juran has been there, done that.And, his methods work!

Good all around Quality Engineering handbook.
This book presents most aspects of Quality Engineering in an easy to understand format.Includes many Quality Engineering examples.Highly informative, a must for the CQE exam. ... Read more

Book Description
This classic, hands-on guide, written by one of the most widely respected masters of quality, teaches the fundamental tools of quality, including:

Data collection
Control charts
Histograms
Scatter diagrams
Cause-and-effect diagrams
Probability
Check sheets
Sampling
Pareto diagrams
Graphs

This best-selling text has been used extensively by schools and major U.S. companies for training students, supervisors, and line personnel. Simply written and self-teaching, it encourages workers to seek out applications of the tools in their work. Includes practice problems. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent Guide to JUSE Seven Tools
The author, Kaoru Ishikawa, having one of the tools named after him, the Ishikawa (fishbone) diagram, should provide a bit of insight into the knowledge contained in this book. If you are interested in learning how to use the seven tools mentioned in TQM and Six Sigma I would highly suggest this book. Much of the software available today will do the math for you but this book will give you an understandning of the theory behind each tool, when to use, how to interpret the results, what to watch out for.
Many books on Six Sigma and Quality mention these tools but this book gives you the information to allow you to use them.

THE standard work on statistical process control.
Covers how to create and use the 7 basic tools of SPC: histograms, cause-and-effect "fishbone" diagrams, check sheets, Pareto diagrams, run charts, control charts, and scatter plots.

Simple, clear language with excellent examples.

Every business manager should keep thisbook at her desk for quick reference; anyone involved in productionprocesses or quality control should read it cover to cover and know it byheart. ... Read more

Book Description
If product reliability is falling short of customer expectations and warranty costs are out of control then changes are needed to the reliability process. Practical and easy to understand, Improving Product Reliability offers invaluable advice to designers, engineers, managers and CEOs who wish to develop better products but are unsure of what to do and how to go about it. This book presents a time-tested reliability process which has been refined over the years and can be readily transferable to any organization.

Incorporating the whole product development and product life cycle process, this book:

• explains why product reliability is a requirement for competing in the 21st century

• covers reliability concepts and how to develop a practical reliability toolbox for your business

• addresses why businesses are unsuccessful at improving product reliability and a strategy for implementation based on company size

• describes a three step process for successful implementation of a reliability program

• provides guidance in selecting and hiring: consultants, reliability engineers and establishing a reliability lab

• presents tutorials to promote a deeper understanding of the more complex concepts

Customer Reviews (3)

Great Book
I liked the book overall but have to comment on what is in my opinion, a poor choice of nomenclature.In Chapter 7, the authors use the term "functional block diagram" to denote what most engineers would term an "operational flow diagram".I found it irritating to the point of distraction.Unfortunately, there seems to be a penchant among reliability and quality assurance professionals to coin and use acronyms, often at the expense of common understanding.If you can get over that, the ideas the authors are trying to communicate are worthwhile.

Reliability for Improvement
This new book is a refreshing reliability approach to improving the reliability of products. It doesn't follow the ususal statistical approaches to describing reliability after the fact. It is not filled with equations for calculation. Rather, the authors suggest ways for companies to change how they develop products and for people to become actively involved in this process. A wide variety of topics are covered, from establishing a MRB to setting up a HALT lab to staffing. All of these provide great help for those who wish to learn from the lessons of others. This is a people oriented book aimed at helping engineers overcome the common company hurdles to improvement. It6 should be on the book shelf of every reliability engineer.

Super Practical
This is not a book on Reliability Theory; there are no math equations or statistics -- but it refers you to the very best references and consultants for that.This is a book about making an impact on your company by improving the reliability of its products.It covers the product Life Cycle from concept to obsolescence with what to at every step.It touches every subject important to starting and sustaining a revolution on product reliability right down to the practical details like what kind of people to hire, what equipment to buy, how to budget for and ensure success installing and running a reliability lab, etc., etc.Written at a level so anyone can understand it -- within any size company -- written in a conversational tone like a fireside chat.A great reference for anyone involved in any aspect of improving product reliability. ... Read more

Book Description
Testing is usually the most expensive, time-consuming and difficult activity during the development of engineering products and systems. Development testing must be performed to ensure that designs meet requirements for performance, safety, durability, reliability, statutory aspects, etc. Most manufactured items must be tested to ensure that they are correctly made. However, much of the testing that is performed in industry is based upon traditions, standards and procedures that do not provide the optimum balance of assurance versus cost and time. There is often pressure to reduce testing because of the high costs involved, without appreciation of the effects on performance, reliability. etc. Misperceptions are commonplace, particularly the idea that tests should not stress products in excess of their operating levels.
The main reason for this situation seems to be that engineers have not developed a consistent philosophy and methodology for testing. Testing is seldom taught as part of engineering curricula, and there are no books on the subject. Specialist areas are taught, for example fatigue testing to mechanical engineers and digital device testing to electronics engineers. However, a wide range is untaught, particularly multidisciplinary and systems aspects. Testing is not just an engineering issue. Because of the importance and magnitude of the economic and business aspects testing is an issue for management. Testing is perceived as a high cost activity, when it should be considered as a value-adding process.
The objective of this book is, therefore, to propose a philosophy of engineering test and to describe the necessary technologies and methods that will provide a foundation for all plans, methods and decisions related to testing of engineered products and systems. The book will help those who must manage and conduct this most difficult and uncertain task. It will also provide a text which can be used as the basis for teaching the principles of testing to all engineering students. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Critial information
It is the very first book (that I'm aware of) written for test engineers and managers.This book is an overview of all types of testing.

The author's philosophy is excellent.....

"The author has never found a company or a project where it was considered in retrospect by those involved that too much was spent on a development test programme." Test Engineering by Patrick D. T. O'Connor.

When you consider that Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, the Comet IV and the Challenger failed not because of negligence, but because critical data slipped through the cracks, or was misinterpreted, this book may just prevent that next tragic unknown from taking place. Or at least arm engineers, and managers, as to what is taking place.

Highly recommended, from one in the business.

A survey of test methods
I bought this book seeking practical information relating to testing of manufactured PCB assemblies.I found relatively little information on that subject, and the information I did find was of a general nature.

I got the impression that if you are interested in a survey of issues dealing with mechnaical failures, you might find more to like in this book. ... Read more

Book Description
Providing a comprehensive approach to both the art and science of reliability engineering, this volume covers all aspects of the field, from basic concepts to accelerated testing, including SPC, designed experiments, human factors, and reliability management. It also presents the theory of reliability systems and its application as prescribed by industrial and government standards. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Reliability Engineering Handbook
This is the best reliability book I have ever used.I work in a corporate development department and deals with design reliability and warranty on a daily basis.This book gets right to the point and is very useful for solving my problems.The Excel templates are especially useful.Not only does the book have useful examples, but the examples are solved using Excel.These examples are on the CD in the back of the book.My only complaint is the printing.The quality is not great; some of the graphs are fuzzy.

Skimpy and poorly printed...
This book is awful for the price.Each subject has hardly any depth to it and the printing is bad.Some graphs barely show up on the page.There are much better books out there than this (O'Connor's comes to mind).

Good and Useful, But ...
Dodson and Nolan provide a sound reliability engineering survey. It may aslo be a helpful supplament for Six-Sigma folks. The volume also serves competently as a handbook and reference. Importantly, it includes an adequate bibilography so that the reader can easily pursue more specialized or more fundamental sources.

But ...

Neither the material nor the presentation distinguishes this book from its many competitors.

Too often the index enties have incorrect page numbers. In an age of computer automated indexing, mistakes of this kind really grate on a reader who expects more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An excellent resource for Acceptance Sampling
I have struggled over acceptance sampling terminology and concepts over the years.. almost the whole duration of my student life in the USA, and working life in Malaysia both in the industry and the academia.

This bookexplains very clearly the interpretation and use of the OC curves. It tellsme especially what AQL and LTPD are, it also tells me why the producer'srisk is related to AQL while LTPD is related to consumer's risk (read page79-80).

This is the first time in my academic career (as a lecturer inthe Malaysia Science University) that I have gone further (and moreconfidently) in explaining about OC curves. This book has certainlyenlightened me v-e-r-y m-u-c-h on acceptance sampling. I have actually usedmany different books for my other operations management classes but I hitthe wall when I come to OC curves.

This book also proves my assumptionabout the sigma in Cpk wrong (read page 70 line #1.) Had it not been forthis book, I would have continued to assume that the sigma (in Cpk) is thesame sigma as in variance (sigma squared).

This book is succint. Straightto the point and in clear language. The authors do not "beat aroundthe bush". The figures clearly explain the concepts talked about in aparticular section for example fig 5.5, and also figure on page 73.

Thisbook has enlightened me, and uncovered many of my wrong assumptions. Moreto go. Yet to savor the rest of the book.

I would certainly recommendthis book to practitioners or students who are serious about quality. ... Read more