I. Reliability Management
A. Strategic management

4. Reliability in product and process development (Apply)

Integrate reliability engineering techniques with other development activities, concurrent engineering, corporate improvement initiatives such as lean and six sigma methodologies, and emerging technologies.

There is more on this topic when we focus on the development process.

Additional References

Reliability in Product and Process Development (article)

Quick Quiz

1-7. Identify the most desirable basic skills required of a reliability engineer assigned to a cross-functional product team.

(A) reliability planning, testing, and measurement
(B) reliability trouble shooting, data collection, and analysis
(C) experience with FRACAS
(D) communication, cooperation, and technical knowledge.

1-8. A new CNC machine is purchased by a factory for $21,000. The following estimates are available:

(A) $5,400
(B) $6,500
(C) $9,000
(D) $16,000

1-99. Concurrent engineering is a method of designing and developing products in which different stages run simultaneously. Identify how many of the following nine steps could be minimized or eliminated using concurrent engineering.

(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 6

I. Reliability Management
A. Strategic management

3. Role of the reliability function in the organization (Apply)

Describe how reliability techniques can be applied in other functional areas of the organization, such as marketing, engineering, customer /product support, safety and product liability, etc.

Nearly every part of an organization impacts the final product or process reliability. Knowing how the various functions within an organization influence reliability, and how our work as reliability professionals influences other functions, permits us to work in concert toward a common set of reliability related objectives.

Additional References

Elements of a Reliability Manual (article)

Role of Reliability in an Organization (article)

Quick Quiz

1-6. Which of the following should be included in a training needs assessment?

I.   personal observations
II.  costs analysis
III. interviews
IV.  work sampling

(A) I and III only
(B) II and IV only
(C) I, III, and IV only
(D) I, II, III, IV, and V

1-16. Identify all the functions normally assigned to the reliability engineering department.

I.   Establish reliability growth.
II.  Oversee use of statistical tools.
III. Evaluate customer surveys regarding product costs.
IV. Maintain a failure reporting system.

(A) I and II only
(B) II and III only
(C) I, II and IV only
(D) I, II, III, and IV

I. Reliability Management
A. Strategic management

2. Interrelationship of safety, quality, and reliability  (Understand)

Define and describe the relationships among safety, reliability, and quality.

Related, reinforcing, and with large overlap of tools, techniques, and desired outcomes.

Additional References

Management Role Concerning Safety, Quality, and Reliability (article)

Quick Quiz

1-14. Identify the main difference between the reliability engineering function and the quality engineering function.

(A) The reliability engineering function concerns customer satisfaction immediately after purchase.
(B) The reliability engineering function concerns product conformance with specifications.
(C) The reliability engineering function concerns monitoring and improve each step of the customer product experience.
(D) The reliability engineering function concerns failures over time.

1-15. Which statement offers the most valid comparison of reliability engineering and quality engineering?

(A) Quality engineering is more concerned with failure rate over time.
(B) Reliability engineering is more concerned with manufacturing errors.
(C) Reliability engineering is more concerned with the defect rate at a point in time.
(D) Reliability engineering is more concerned with product design and failure rate.

This is a demo quiz for the CRE Preparation on demand course

There quizzes and examples throughout the course, plus a couple sample exams that you can download (still working to bring full practice exams online, too). Overtime, I will be adding hints, suggestions, and explanations of the answers.

Give the quiz a try and let me know if anything isn’t working.

After you click the Start Quiz button you will see one question at a time. Select the answer and click Submit. The next question will appear. When you finish the quiz you will see your score and have the ability to go back through the questions.

When you refresh the page or visit the page again, the quiz resets allowing you to take the quiz again.

Let me know what you think of the quiz format and what you would like to see included or available concerning quizzes.

PS — I know the final ‘Continue’ button doesn’t work and I’m working to sort that out. And, I’ll be working to update the format based on the new computer testing format, including the ability to flag and skip questions prior to answering them.

Reliability Management

Strategic management includes connections of our work as reliability professionals to other elements of the product or process development lifecycle. Basically, reliability performance is important to our customers and organization.

Our ability to manage our reliability activities and incorporate/encourage reliability tasks and concepts across an organization is a key to a successful reliability program. Reliability program management includes the basic elements of product or system engineering along with how reliability integrates to achieve our business goals.

Finally all of our work is in context of the larger engineering and professional considerations of ethics, safety and liability.

Each section of the body of knowledge will have a brief introduction in the course.

Additional References

Engineering Management

I. Reliability Management

A. Strategic management

This is a big picture section of the body of knowledge and provides the context and connections between the field of reliability engineering and our organization, supply chain, industry, and customers.

Welcome to the ASQ Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) exam preparation course.

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Enjoy the Course

— select available lesson via the menu to the right

Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. This is the first run of the course, with your help we can make this the course you need to master the CRE body of knowledge. — Fred
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[hide_from accesslevel=”cre-on-demand-course”]Start Course Today[/hide_from]

We will be stepping through the CRE Body of Knowledge as you refresh your knowledge, reinforce what you already know, and brush up on a few rusty areas.

Additional References

CRE Primer from the Quality Council of Indiana

ASQ Certified Reliability Engineer description

ASQ CRE Body of Knowledge

There are many reasons to sit for the CRE certification, and what ever the reason, let’s work together so you can successfully achieve this career milestone. It’s a tough test and covers a broad body of knowledge, yet with a little support and hard work you can do it.

Primary Course Reference

The course reading and study material is primarily based in the CRE Primer from the Quality Council of Indiana. You can order your copy directly from their site. It makes a perfect reference for use during the exam, plus a handy goto reference for your day to day reliability engineering work, too.

[hide_from accesslevel=”cre-on-demand-course”]Start Course Today[/hide_from]

Be Prepared

The time you spend refreshing and mastering the tools and concepts in the CRE body of knowledge will serve you all during the exam and during your career.

The keys to being prepared are:

Do the homework – read, study, work the problems

Get feedback – check your answer, why were the other options not the answer, and if you have any questions, ask.

Finally, talk about reliability, about what you’re learning. Discuss with a study group, on the course forum, or with co-workers. Practice explaining reliability concepts as it helps you learn.

Additional References

In Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell he talks about 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to become an expert. It’s the deliberate part that is important. Coaching, guidance, and feedback are essential in order for the the practice to be useful in developing mastery.

One scholarly paper discusses the role of deliberate practice. While deliberate practice may not be the only way to achieve mastery, and even with such practice one still may not achieve mastery, the idea that getting feedback is essential.

K. Anders Ericsson, Ralf Th. Cramp, and Clemens Tesch-Romer, “The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance.” Psychological Review 1993, Vol. 100. No. 3, 363-406.

Here’s an article that outlines best practice for studying – my favorite is taking a nap after a study session. 15 Smart Study Tactics Based on the Latest Brain Research, by Saga Briggs, informED, May 2nd, 2016.

Don’t Panic

You got this. Breathe.

Seriously, relax. Sitting for a 4 hour test is something you may have last done years ago in college. Finals may not have been your favorite collegiate activity, yet you have been there and done that.

That is why you are building on your experience using many of the tools and concepts in the field of reliability engineering. You are taking a refresher course to reinforce much of what you already know, and become familiar with the few areas you do not know as well.

Before the exam

Prepare your notes and references so you can find information quickly.

Fresh batteries in your calculator.

Remember to exercise and eat well.

Get a good nights sleep.

Work the sample exam problems, review your answers, learn how to use your references.

Mostly, relax, learn, breathe.

Day of the exam

Wake early and enjoy a healthy, hearty breakfast

Plan to arrive early at the exam site

Arrange your materials on your table

Answer the questions you know quickly

Circle back to problems that require looking up information

Save the problems that will take longer to answer till last

Answer all problems, even is purely guessing, as there is no penalty for wrong answer.

Relax, breathe, take a deep breathe.

After the exam

Shake it out, go for a walk, unwind

Take a few notes on areas or types of questions that presented difficulty (just in case)

You should hear about your results in a few weeks.

Use the concepts and tools at work. The real value of mastering this information is using it to improve product or process reliability.

Additional References

18 Tips for Taking Standardized Exams

How to Prepare for the CRE Exam

Top 10 CRE Exam Preparation Tips

CRE Exam Preparation

Recipe for CRE Exam Preparation

May Require Library Access

Appelhans, Bradley M., and Ronald R. Schmeck. “Learning styles and approach versus avoidant coping during academic exam preparation.” College Student Journal 36.1 (2002): 157+. Academic OneFile. Web. 8 May 2016. (abstract only)

Before we start

Let’s review what to expect and how to best use this material.

Once enrolled in the course you have full access to all the material in each lesson. You can start at the beginning and work you way down the list of lessons, or jump to the specific areas you want to refresh or review.

You will not have access to the online course during the exam, therefore you need to both master the material and your references (and calculator) before sitting for the exam. The lectures and material in the course is designed to help you understand and use the topics, concepts, and tools within the CRE body of knowledge.

Beyond the lectures you will need to read the recommended references, organize your notes and references, and practice, practice, practice solving sample exam questions. By far the biggest route to mastering this material is using it on a day to day basis at work. Second, is practicing the sample exam questions.

Do the homework. Ask questions anytime you have a question.

Additional References

CRE body of knowledge

Thank you for signing up as interested in the CRE Preparation course.

Look for an email asking you to confirm joining the email list. This is part of the double opt in process to join the list. I do not like spam and this one way to insure everyone on the list wants to receive emails about the CRE Preparation course.

While I’m working on improving the course and adding content, you have a few things you can do now:

Review the recommended references list and possibly add a few references to your library.

Take the ASQ CRE Sample exam – you have the option to take an online (must login as ASQ member) or paper version.

Plan ahead to have at least an hour or two every day to study. Small blocks of time every day is preferable to long blocks weekly, to enhance your ability to master the material.

Finally, if there is anything you want to know about the course, please let me know.

Cheers,

Fred
fms@accendoreliability.com

PS: Here’s the course introduction message.

intro material

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Enjoy the Course

— select available lessons via the menu to the right (or scroll down on smaller screens)

Step through the lessons from top to bottom or jump to the areas you know you need to review quickly or dig deeper and study.

I, Fred, am here to support you along the way. At any time, if you have a question, would like to chat about a concept, or check in, let me know. Email or call (+1.408.710.8248), or arrange a Zoom session anytime, seriously.

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Course Information

The ASQ CRE certification exam preparation course allows you to brush up or review (and for some learn for the first time) every element of the ASQ CRE Body of Knowledge.

The course provides a mix of lectures, sample problems, and reading, to guide your mastery of the content.

The course provides support and encouragement so you stay on track and have the best possible preparation for the certification exam.

The lectures also include advice on how to best use the concepts, tools, and techniques at work. The real value of the certification is found by improving the value you provide by being a better reliability engineer.

[hide_from visible_to=”public”]If you have already signed up for the course, login and enjoy.

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[/hide_from][hide_from accesslevel=”cre-on-demand-course”]Join the I’m Interested list to be alerted when the course opens again.

Your On-demand Course with Instructor Support

Immediate access to all 170 lessons discussing concepts, reviewing procedures and flushing out context and applicability.

Plus, I’m here to support you upon request.

Plus each lesson has the option to download the slides, the video, or the audio for review offline.

Each module has a scored quiz.  There are 416 questions in the quizzes. Most sections have 25 questions.

Many lessons have a set of sample exam-style questions. These are Quick Quizzes and just to assist you in mastering the material, practicing parsing the questions, and learning your references.

Pilot students requested a set of glossaries one for terms and one for formulas. The terms glossaries are now available and included in the course. One is organized by topic and the other is alphabetical.

How Long Will the Course Take?

This will depend on how many video lectures you view and how many of the sample exam problems you attempt. The course contains approximately 32 hours of video lecture, plus over 500 sample exam questions.

It is recommended that beyond the lectures, you plan on another 40 to 80 hours for reading and practicing answering the questions.

What are the course perquisites?

An interest in reliability engineering.

For those specifically preparing to sit for the ASQ CRE exam, you should meet the certification eligibility requirements (a mix of education and work experience, including time in leadership positions)

Give yourself  at least 2 month before exam day for the course material, reading, and study time[/hide_from]

Course and Exam References

For this course and for use during the exam, you are highly recommended to secure a copy of the QCI CRE Primer as your primary reference.

You may want, if you do not have them already, a few other references, including:

Practical Reliability Engineering by O’Connor and Kleyner

A good statistics book you know well. I use An Introduction to Statistical Methods and Data Analysis by Ott and Longnecker

ASQ Exam Registration

If you plan to take the CRE exam, sign up separately for the course directly with ASQ. Learn more about exam dates, certification requirements and more at the ASQ CRE Certification page.

What is your return policy?

If you are not satisfied with the content, send me an email within 30 days for a full refund.

Thank you for the CRE course, it was really helpful to brush up my skills in ASQ CRE BOK under your guidance. — Douzi[/hide_from]