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8.
Assessing Product Reliability
8.4. Reliability Data Analysis
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| Graphical
estimation methods (aided by computer line fits) are easy and quick.
Maximum likelihood methods are usually more accurate - but need special software |
Two widely used general methods
will be described in this section:
Recommendation On Which Method to Use
Maximum likelihood estimation (except when the failure data is very sparse - i.e. only a few failures) is a more accurate and flexible method. However, with censored data, the method of maximum likelihood estimation requires special computer programs for distributions other than the exponential. It may be difficult or costly to obtain MLE programs that meet your needs. If important business decisions are based on reliability projections made from life test data and acceleration modeling, then it pays to search for and obtain state of the art MLE reliability software. Otherwise, for monitoring and tracking reliability, estimation methods based on computer augmented graphical procedures will generally suffice. |
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