M04 Estimation of Reliability Metrics

Module 4 Estimation of Reliability Metrics

Lesson M04-00

Text: Sections 6 & 7

Duration: 2 minutes

Introduction to Estimation of Reliability Metrics Module

This module is the core of life data analysis.  We start by providing an overview of the common methods for estimating the distribution parameters (e.g. Maximum Likelihood Estimation) and provide guidance for choosing a method.  Since quantifying uncertainty in our estimates is critical, we review the use of confidence intervals (or bounds) for this purpose.  Applying the concepts introduced previously, we learn how to utilize selected distributions to estimate reliability statistics of interest.  Treatment of censored data and multiple failure modes follow.  We also look at comparing multiple groups with respect to overall reliability performance.  Finally, we briefly look at nonparametric estimation which does not require any distribution assumption.