Reliability Engineering Management
ENRE 642, a 3-credit graduate-level course at the University of Maryland. Starting June 1, 2015
Taught each summer (in person and/or distance learning) and by special arrangement with the university.
“I think it is great to have someone teaching a class that works in industry and has real-world experience with businesses.” – former student.
To learn more and to register, visit the Office of Advanced Engineering Education.
Contact the University of Maryland to sign up for the course.
To learn more and to register, visit the Office of Advanced Engineering Education.
Course Syllabus
Unifying systems perspective of reliability engineering management. Design, development and management of organizations and reliability programs including: management of systems evaluation and test protocols, development of risk management-mitigation processes, and management of functional tasks performed by reliability engineers.
The course has an emphasis on understanding the value of reliability activities within the entire product lifecycle. Case studies of actual organizations focused on determining the key considerations when attempting to improve the organization’s ability to produce reliable products.
“Enjoyed the course thoroughly. Definitely should not be without ENRE642 in any RE masters. Makes us truly realize what the hell the Math is all for!” -Wendell, former student
Course Instructor
Fred Schenkelberg FMS Reliability (408) 710-8248 fms@fmsreliability.com
Required Text
The Process of Reliability Engineering, 1st Edition 2023
Carl S. Carlson and Fred Schenkelberg, FMS Reliability Publishing
Plus a couple of booklets prepared by the instructor (included with course materials)
Optional References
Practical Reliability Engineering, 5th Edition, 2012
Patrick D. T. O’Connor and Andrew Kleyner, Wiley
Handbook of Reliability Engineering and Management, 2nd Edition 1996
Ireson, W. Grant, Coombs, Clyde F. and Moss, Richard Y., McGraw-Hill
Improving Product Reliability: Strategies and Implementation, 2003
Mark A. Levin and Ted T. Kalal, Wiley
Quality if Free: The Art of Making Quality Certain, 1979
Philip B. Crosby, New American Library
Design Paradigms: Case Histories of Error and Judgment in Engineering, 1994
Henry Petroski, Cambridge University Press
Grading
Homework and discussions 100%
Office hours and one-to-one discussions are expected as a regular part of the course
Course Outline
Study material in Carlson and Schenkelberg; other references are optional.
- Introduction to Reliability Engineering Management
- Reliability Value
- Maturity Matrix
- Goals and Planning
- Develop a Reliability Strategic Vision
- Perform Reliability Gap Assessment
- Identify Reliability-Related Decisions
- Select the Right Reliability Methods
- Create an Effective Reliability Plan
- Execute Reliability Plan Tasks
- Building Credibility and Influence Part 1
- Building Credibility and Influence Part 2
The lectures are prerecorded and immediately available for watching, if you wish.
Or, pace yourself through the course with a little more than one topic per week.
We’ll have live Zoom (or something similar) weekly – this time is to address any discussion points brought up in the lectures and/or your questions.
The course requires one book and offers two eBooks, one on Value and the other on Maturity. A short reader is also available for select topics, along with a Next Steps worksheet to encourage additional thinking about the topics covered.
Plus topics of interest to students as time permits.