One of the key ideas behind the ASQ CRE certification is the need to learn enough to pass the exam. Then you are expected to continue to learn to maintain your certification. It is the key idea of ongoing professional development that central to the CRE program, and many other certification programs.

Over this past year of COVID-induced restrictions, the ability to attend local chapter meetings or conferences has changed. While many events are now done online, it’s another Zoom meeting after a day full of such online meetings.

A recent article by Anant Agarwal, the founder and CEO of edX titled, “What I’ve Learned About Learning – 5 Hacks for Success” caught my attention. Anant provides a few tips to improve your online learning – and I would say any learning. A little research on how to best learn online also found “Tips for Successful Online Learning” that helped inform this short summary. [Read more…]

The way we learn, prove our worth, and the nature of work are all changing. Professional societies are struggling to adjust to these changes. Universities and employers likewise are experimenting and exploring new ways to operate.

Over the past few months, I’ve received about a dozen inquiries on how to prepare for the ASQ Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) exam in order to obtain the ASQ CRE certification. Many also asked if I had a course available. Thus, I decided to run a live course (learn more at the live course page – note: if you see this after the course start date we’ll have a sign up for those interested in future classes). [Read more…]

The new CRE body of knowledge goes into effect for exams starting January 2018.

The changes include topics that has been dropped, added, or altered. There also is a new structure with 5 main groups rather than the previous seven. Overall, the BoK remained pretty much the same with a reorganization of the topics.

Reading the new BoK and comparing it to the old BoK raises a few concerns or observations. Let’s take a look at the new structure and what the changes say about the reliability engineering profession. [Read more…]

Last week we reviewed the 10+ topics removed from the CRE body of knowledge (BoK). This week, let’s look at the additions.

Three of the additions are new categories or groups of topics that in part contain new topics. There are five new topics, that in most cases included bits and pieces of concepts buried in the previous BoK.

Let’s take a look at each additions in a bit more detail. Some I agree with, some I wonder what the motivation is behind the addition, and some I question why it is included. [Read more…]

A Review of the 2018 ASQ CRE Body of Knowledge

I just noticed the new 2018 ASQ CRE Body of Knowledge had been posted on the ASQ site. The new BoK will be in effect for CRE exams as of January 2018. Thus, we have six months to adjust to the new body of knowledge.

This is part 1 of a multipart review of the new BoK. Here we’ll look at the parts that those preparing for the exam will not have to master or review. There are 10+ topics dropped completely or in part from the BoK.

In future articles, we’ll review what has been added, what has been changed (a review), and how to best prepare for exams based on the new BoK. Plus, we can look over past BoK’s to understand where reliability engineering practice is today.

In part, the logic is these sets of tools (topics) that are not widely used by working reliability engineers. In some cases, I agree, and in others, I don’t. Let’s look at the eight topics not found in the upcoming CRE BoK. [Read more…]

The Survey Results Are In

Here the 2016 survey results as reported by the TypeForm survey tool. [Read more…]

Initially, the CRE Prep blog aimed at providing refresher material for those preparing for the ASQ CRE exam.

In discussions with readers, it has become clear to me that many new to reliability engineering have found the series of articles useful.

That is should not be surprising since many of the tutorials are introductory and practical.

The problem those new to the field have is related with where to start.

There is a lot of information related to reliability engineering.

From defining reliability to working with teams to Weibull analysis, there is a lot to know. [Read more…]

Recently one of the CRE Preparation course students sat for the ASQ CRE exam at one of the Prometrics testing centers.

She passed – which is great, and she knew this as she received grading immediately after finishing the exam.

That is a new and nice feature. What we do not know if what happens if you do not pass.

Do you get feedback in a meaningful manner?

Here are a few other notes on the exam experience Raye reported. [Read more…]

In the last couple of weeks, I’ve received the same question a few times.

The CRE exam is perceived as a daunting task. One worth preparing well to be successful.

How do you prepare? What should you do to best prepare?

Let’s explore a few hints and tips that have been previously discussed here. [Read more…]

The ASQ CRE Exam is daunting.

While you may desire to become certified, you also know the CRE body of knowledge is broad. The exam is 150 questions in four hours that may tax your ability to achieve a passing score.

There is a lot to know in reliability engineering. Your journey of learning really never ends. [Read more…]

Becoming an ASQ CRE is one milestone in your career. It involved gathering experience and studying the broad reliability engineering body of knowledge.

It also involved an ongoing application of what you know and learn. I’ve found being a reliability engineer involves learning about materials, designs, systems, people, and tools & techniques. Mastery takes time and a good library. [Read more…]