Reliability

Reliability is defined as the probability of the event, which lies in the fact that the product used in certain circumstances will keep the ability to meet the requirements within a specified period of time of use. Reliability is also sometimes interpreted as a quality stretched in time: "reliable quality". Quality, however, is the overriding concept, because reliability does not guarantee a high level of quality.

Reliability in research: see below.

Definitions of Reliability

The most common definitions related to reliability include:

• Damage - a loss of ability of product to meet requirements.
• Readiness - the ability of an object to fulfil certain requirements, under the circumstances at the time.
• Maintainability - the ability to maintain ability meet the specific requirements under the given conditions of use
• Provision of service - the ability of an organization that deals with the service to provide the resources needed to handle the object.

Reliability meaning==Reliability is variously interpreted and perceived by different people, depending on function. For example===Reliability in design=

Reliability concerns the readiness of the product to perform certain functions of this product in a time when the user needs it. The readiness of product to meet the specific requirements is influenced by:

• resistance to damages,
• maintainability, and
• provision of the means to required for usage.

Reliability for entrepreneurs

For the entrepreneur reliability determines the competitiveness of the product and allows the safe use of the product. According to the entrepreneurs, product is more reliable when it reduces the value of cost of processes, which is associated with a lower cost of production.

Reliability as confidence

Product reliability is associated with confidence in the product. It is related to:

• safety,
• service,
• small costs associated with the acquisition and possession, and
• product usage that is not disturbed by damages.

Reliability and durability

The terms of durability and reliability are often equated with each other. However, these are two different concepts. Durability determines how long the product did not show significant loss of the initial level of quality, that is, how long will it match the requirements under the specified conditions of use or storage. While reliability determines probability of meeting your requirements in time and under specified conditions of use.

Reliability in research

Reliability in research is a way of assessing the quality of the measurement procedure used to collect data in a scientific research. In order for the results from a study to be considered valid, the measurement procedure must first be reliable.

Types of reliability

There are three main types of reliability:

• related to successive measurement,
• related to simultaneous measurement by more than one researcher,
• related to single measurement point.

Those types are discussed in detail here.

Data reliability

Data reliability is the accuracy and completeness of computer-processed data, given the use they are intended for. In order to be reliable, data must be complete, accurate and consistent.

Reliability and validity

Validity is a term used in statistics and scientific research to describe:

• accuracy - the degree to which chosen method measures what it is supposed to measure,
• construct validity - the degree to which practical test measure what theory says they should do,
• content validity - systematic examination of method to unveil whether it covers all important areas of the phenomenon it is supposed to evaluate.
• criterion validity - evaluation of validity of the criterion against other parts of the method which are held to be valid.

Examples of Reliability

• Automobiles: Automobiles are a great example of reliability. Automobile manufacturers strive to make their vehicles reliable so that they are safe and reliable in all weather conditions and road conditions. Reliability in automobiles is measured by how well the car operates under different conditions and how long it will last.
• Electronics: Electronics are also a great example of reliability. Many electronic products are designed to be reliable and last for a long time. This is especially true for products such as computers and cell phones, which require a great deal of reliability in order to remain functional and efficient.
• Military Equipment: Military equipment is another example of reliability. This equipment is designed to be reliable and durable in order to be used in harsh environments and intense combat situations. Reliability is especially important for military equipment, as it could mean the difference between life and death for the personnel who use it.

Advantages of Reliability

Reliability has several advantages, which make it an important aspect of product design and development. The primary advantages of reliability include:

• Increased customer satisfaction: As the product becomes more reliable, customers will be more likely to trust it. This can lead to higher customer satisfaction and repeat business.
• Reduced costs: As reliability increases, it is likely that fewer repairs and replacements will be needed. This can lead to significant cost savings in the long run.
• Improved safety: Reliability can help ensure that products are functioning as they should, thus increasing safety for the customer.
• Increased customer loyalty: As customers become more familiar with the product and its reliability, they may be more likely to become loyal customers.
• More efficient operations: Reliability can help ensure that operations are running efficiently, leading to better overall performance.

Limitations of Reliability

Reliability is an important factor in determining the quality of a product or service, however it has some limitations. These include:

• Limited predictability - The reliability of a product or service can’t be predicted with absolute certainty. Factors such as wear and tear, environmental conditions, and user error can all affect reliability.
• Cost - Increasing the reliability of a product or service can be expensive, as it often involves implementing complex and costly procedures or materials.
• Limited testing - Limited testing of a product or service can lead to unexpected flaws or issues that may affect reliability.
• Lack of standardization - There is no single standard for measuring reliability, as different industries or organizations may have different requirements.
• Human error - Even if a product or service is highly reliable, human error or misuse can still lead to unexpected issues or failures.

Other approaches related to Reliability

Reliability is closely related to other concepts, such as:

• Availability - the probability of the product being in working order when needed.
• Maintainability - the ability to provide service, repairs and maintenance in order to keep the product working.
• Testability - the ability of the product to be tested in order to determine its reliability.
• Recoverability - the ability of the product to recover from errors or unexpected events.

In conclusion, Reliability is a complex concept that is related to other concepts that are essential for the successful operation of a product. These concepts are Availability, Maintainability, Testability and Recoverability. All of these concepts combined ensure that a product is reliable and can meet the requirements of its users.

Reliability — recommended articles

Designed quality — Quality parameters — Determining the length of the production cycle — Zero defects — Genichi Taguchi — Tooling costs — Quality level — Quality control — Quality of products

References

• Reliability in research
• Gertsbakh I.B (1988) Statistical reliability theory, Oakland University, New York:Marcel Dekker Inc.
• Krippendorff K. (1970) Estimating the reliability, systematic error and random error of interval data, Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30, 61-70

Author: Teresa Śpiewla, Slawomir Wawak