Reliability ≠ Testing
Abstract
Mojan and Fred discuss the idea that a product’s reliability is not the same as doing reliability testing.
ᐅ Play Episode
SOR 1128 Reliability ≠ Testing
CR129: Explore the Trades is Bridging the Gap to Skilled Trades Careers for our Youth
Explore the Trades is Bridging the Gap to Skilled Trades Careers for our Youth
Explore the Trades, a non-profit organization founded in 2005, addresses the skilled trades workforce shortage by connecting students to careers in plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work. Kate Cinnamo, the executive director since 2017, discusses the organization’s efforts to engage students, educators, and families. Through tools like poster programs and skills labs, Explore the Trades promotes trades education, offering free resources to schools and providing hands-on equipment and curriculum. The initiative highlights the high earning potential and fulfilling nature of skilled trades careers, while emphasizing the need for continued outreach to shift perceptions and support future workforce development.
- Explore the Trades’ mission to connect students with plumbing, HVAC, and electrical careers
- Free poster program for schools, including a Spanish version, promoting career paths and apprenticeship opportunities
- Skills lab program in partnership with Ferguson, providing schools with plumbing and HVAC equipment
- Collaboration with SkillCat to enhance trades education with technical training curriculum
- Efforts to change perceptions of trades work and emphasize its economic importance and work-life balance
Visit Explore The Trades and Support: https://explorethetrades.org/
CR128: Building Trust and Excellence in Commercial Food Equipment Services with Rich Malachy
Building Trust and Excellence in Commercial Food Equipment Services with Rich Malachy
Rich Malachy, CEO of Malachy Cares, discusses leadership in the commercial food equipment service industry. He emphasizes the importance of maintenance, transparency, and employee well-being, while highlighting the use of technology like XOi software to build trust. Malachy also shares his journey from fieldwork to CEO, the impact of content creation on business, and the growing interest in skilled trades.
Key Topics:
- Importance of maintenance and a culture of excellence
- Use of XOi software to enhance transparency and trust
- Emphasis on employee well-being and work-life balance
- Malachy’s career journey and leadership evolution
- Rising interest in skilled trades and technician training
Visit Malachy Cares: https://malachycares.com/
SOR 1127 Understanding Assumptions
Understanding Assumptions
Abstract
Carl and Fred discuss why it essential for reliability engineers to understand the assumptions that go into any reliability activity.
ᐅ Play Episode
CR127: Scaling Success in CMMS How John Sterling Mastered Market Entry Team Building and Sales Excellence
Scaling Success in CMMS How John Sterling Mastered Market Entry Team Building and Sales Excellence
In this podcast episode, John Sterling, a seasoned entrepreneur in the CMMS and technology industries, shares his entrepreneurial journey starting with his beginnings in small business as a high schooler, his early career in Silicon Valley, and his acquisition of Data Stream, a small software company (that became a $100M company). He emphasizes the importance of gaining market entry, even at a low price, which helped him secure significant clients later. We explore the challenges of transitioning from small to large businesses, managing different budget sizes, and the complexity of scaling a company.
Main Topics:
- Entrepreneurship Journey: From small businesses to large-scale companies.
- Strategic Pricing and Market Entry: Using low pricing to gain entry and attract large clients.
- Challenges in Scaling Businesses: Managing transitions from small to large companies.
- Bold Strategies for Success: Taking risks like pursuing IPOs and international acquisitions.
- Building and Managing Teams: Recruiting, nurturing sales talent, and maintaining company culture.
SOR 1126 Good and Bad Meetings
Good and Bad Meetings
Abstract
Carl and Fred discuss what makes some meetings really useful and others a waste of time.
ᐅ Play Episode
CR126: From Food Manufacturing to CMMS with Colin Morris on Client Solutions
From Food Manufacturing to CMMS with Colin Morris on Client Solutions
Colin Morris, Director of Solution Consulting at MaintainX, discusses his background in the CMMS industry, focusing on his journey from food manufacturing to his current role, sharing insights into the challenges and best practices for helping clients successfully adopt CMMS solutions, emphasizing the importance of ease of use, effective training, and overcoming resistance to change. His experience highlights the value of on-site visits, the growing battery technology market, and the crucial role of internal champions in facilitating smooth transitions.
Main Questions/Topics:
- What were the key moments in Colin Morris’s journey into CMMS and solution consulting?
- How does MaintainX guide clients in selecting optimal CMMS solutions and best practices?
- What challenges do clients face in adopting CMMS, and how can they overcome them?
- How important is client training, and what methods are most effective for smooth adoption?
- What role do on-site visits and client documentation play in ensuring long-term success?
RH008: Peter Durrant’s Impactful Journey in Maintenance and Reliability
Peter Durrant’s Impactful Journey in Maintenance and Reliability
Andrew is joined by Peter Durrant, an adjunct principal at Covaris, specializing in education and change management. Peter’s journey traces back to his days as a Navy apprentice, leading to his current role at Covaris, where he focuses on efficient maintenance planning and scheduling. With a passion for empowering others, Peter’s approach involves identifying areas for improvement while highlighting existing strengths. His insights on timing underscore the delicate balance between patience and proactivity.
Reflecting on his past, Peter’s experiences in submarines reveal his transformation from a spirited young man to a disciplined professional shaped by the challenges of submarine life. Despite his initial mischievousness, Peter embraced his responsibilities in the deep sea.
Sharing anecdotes from his submarine days, Peter offers a glimpse into the demanding world of underwater navigation, where every action carries immense significance. Explore the tale of Peter Durrant’s professional evolution, from his naval origins to his current role in industrial consultancy, in this engaging debut episode of the Reliability Hero Podcast.
CR125: Community First Streamline Asset Management User Conference 2025 with George Williams and Alex Bolan
Community First Streamline Asset Management User Conference 2025 with George Williams and Alex Bolan
Streamline Asset Management User Conference 2025!
It is all about community!!
We’re joined by George Williams of ReliabilityX and Alex Bolan of Digital Thinker to chop it up about the upcoming Streamline Asset Management User Conference happening February 24-27, 2025 in Greenville, SC. This year it is wide-open and features a full team of Hexagon support organizations that are not here to sell you but instead help you learn, grow, and improve how you are leveraging the platform! In fact, many of the strategies shared, on stage and throughout the event, apply to any asset and maintenance management environment.
There’s a lot on the journey story to how this AWESOME event came into existence!! Tune in and hear from two experts that are making a difference for the entire maintenance and reliability space!!
Thanks for supporting and following CMMSradio!
ReliabilityX here: https://reliabilityx.com/
Digital Thinker here: https://digitalthinker.com/
RM 181: What Every OEM Should Know About Working with Contract Manufacturers – With Raymond Novara
What Every OEM Should Know About Working with Contract Manufacturers – With Raymond Novara
The next two episodes will be all about contract manufacturing, an area that can make or break the reliability and success of a product.
My guest on this episode is Raymond Novara, founder and owner of East End Assemblies, a U.S.-based contract manufacturer recognized for its focus on quality, customer service, and compliance with AS9100 and IPC standards.
During our conversation, I’ll be asking Raymond some key questions that every OEM should be considering:
- What are the best practices for selecting a contract manufacturer?
- What common mistakes do companies make when working with a CM—especially in communication and hand-offs?
- How can design-for-manufacturability feedback prevent problems down the road?
- What should customers know about transitioning from prototypes to volume production?
- And how can contract manufacturers help ensure long-term product reliability, not just passing initial tests?
If you’re an OEM evaluating partners, an engineer preparing to hand off a design, or someone interested in how contract manufacturers contribute to product reliability, this episode is packed with insights.
Raymond Novara’s Company:
East End Assemblies
https://eastendassemblies.com
SOR 1125 Roofing Material Failure
CR124: Unlocking the Power of Planning, Scheduling, and RCM in Maintenance Management with Erik Hupje
Unlocking the Power of Planning, Scheduling, and RCM in Maintenance Management with Erik Hupje
In this episode of CMMSradio, Greg Christensen welcomes Erik Hupje for an engaging conversation about maintenance management and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS). The discussion begins with shout-outs to Metallica, the All Within My Hands foundation, and Mike Franz. The hosts explore key topics related to maintenance, including the challenges of effective planning and scheduling, the importance of Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM), and the integration of these practices with CMMS. Hupje stresses the significance of structured frameworks, coaching, and training to overcome barriers and improve long-term adoption. The episode provides valuable insights for anyone looking to optimize their maintenance operations.
Key Questions and Topics:
- Why is planning and scheduling often neglected in maintenance management despite its importance?
- What are the main barriers to successful planning and scheduling in maintenance operations?
- How does the lack of formal training and the confusion between planning and scheduling impact efficiency?
- What is Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM), and how does it help optimize preventive maintenance?
- How can CMMS help in the implementation and tracking of RCM and overall maintenance strategies?
Connect with Reliability Academy here: https://reliabilityacademy.com/
SOR 1124 The Future of HALT
The Future of HALT
Abstract
Kirk and Fred discuss the future of Highly Accelerated Limit Testing (HALT), which is not a life test, despite its initial designation. ᐅ Play Episode
CR123: Optimizing Processes for Sustainability with Derrick Mains on Maintenance Management
Optimizing Processes for Sustainability with Derrick Mains on Maintenance Management
In this episode of the podcast, Greg Christensen introduces Derek Mains, a process improvement expert with over 20 years of experience. The conversation, sparked by a recommendation from mutual friend Rob Kowalrowski, explores Derek’s journey from sustainability to applying his process optimization skills across various industries. Derek explains his approach to process improvement, focusing on mapping, measuring, managing, and mobilizing. Key topics include eliminating waste in maintenance, addressing deferred maintenance, and the importance of measuring ROI for maintenance investments. A case study is presented, illustrating how small process improvements can yield significant productivity gains.
Key Questions and Topics:
- How does Derek Mains’ process improvement approach (mapping, measuring, managing, and mobilizing) apply to maintenance management?
- What is the impact of deferred maintenance and short-term cost-cutting measures on operations?
- Why is measuring and calculating ROI for maintenance investments crucial?
- How can small process improvements, like upgrading tools, lead to large productivity gains?
- What role does process improvement play in reducing injuries and employee turnover in maintenance environments?
QDD 183: Confidence Is A Dial: Turn It With Evidence, Not Guesswork
Confidence Is A Dial: Turn It With Evidence, Not Guesswork
We turn late-stage design surprises into a strategic plan by assigning explicit confidence levels, stacking evidence, and using the three-dial model of time, cost, and confidence boost. We show how to work backward from a system test to cheaper steps that drive faster, clearer decisions.
• applying the three dials of time, cost, confidence
• sequencing with the work-backwards strategy
• avoiding overtesting, undertesting, wrong testing
• turning confidence into a team communication tool
• practical next steps to build the confidence muscle
