SECTION II

RELIABILITY MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS

2.1.Reliability organizations:

I. Must be independent of theQualityorganization

II. Should maintain a balance between building core competency and deliverables
III. Provide both steeing role and technical support functions

a. I only
b. I and II only
c. II and III only
d. I, II and III

Reference:CRE Primer, Section II-2/9(and logic).

2.2. The reliability engineer’s ultimate goal in most organizations may be best expressed as :

a. The reduction of warranty returns and improvement of test yields

b. The minimization ofproduct failure rate during the constant failure rate period
c. The analysis and optimization of full life cycle cost impact
d. The identification and elimination of all failure modes

Reference:CRE Primer, Section II-11, 80/81.

2.3. The ratio, long-term ratio, net value received, and net rateof return models can be used to evaluate:

a. The effects of natural environments

b. Cost effectiveness
c. The effects of man-made environments
d. Hostile man-made environments

Reference:CRE Primer, Section II-18/24 (and logic). Omdahl, T. P., Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability
(RAM) Dictionary.1980 Published CRE. Exam Question 30(modified).

2.4. The product life cycle model that is most often applied in reliability sciences is best captured by which one
of the following sequential phases?

a. Innovation, Integration, Engineering, Application, Operation, Obsolescence

b. Identification, Initiation, Budgeting, Approval, Implementation, Application
c. Concept, Development, Production, Operation, Wear out, Disposal
d. Model, Prediction, Allocation, Verification, Validation, Refinement

References: CRE Primer, Section II-18/20 and RAC, RBPR-1

2.5. “The probability that the system is either available at the beginning of the mission or can be brought to an
operationally ready state by the beginning of the mission” is the definition of:

a. Design adequacy
b. System effectiveness
c. Operational readiness
d. Mission reliability

References:CRE Primer, Section II-55. Omdahl, T. P., Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM)
Dictionary.1980 Published CRE. Exam Question 81(modified).

2.6. The design process employed by a cross-functional team should include:

a. uptime ratio calculation, wear out analysis, and employee empowerment

b. Reliability goals, predictions and tasks suited to achieve product design objectives
c. Disciplined enforcement of all reliability tasks identified in MIL-STD781
d. Comprehesive product testing and component screening

References: CRE Primer, Sections II – 7/9, 64/66 and v-2/4.

2.7. A reliability engineer working in today’s corporate business environment should develop expertise in:

I. The interpretation and use of certain military specifications

II. Communication and presentation methods
III. Financial analysis and justification techniques

a. I only
b. I and II only
c. II and III only
d. I, II and III

References:CRE Primer, Section II-2/9, and 80/84.

2.8. In the failure rate model shown below, the part of the curve identified as A represents:

a. the “bathtub” curve

b. Random and independent failures fitting a poisson
c. The debugging period for complex equipment
d. The wear out period

References :CRE Primer, SectionII – 60/61. 1972 Published CQE Exam, Question 8 (modifie
2.9. From the figure, which one of the sections represents the period when catastrophic failures are likely to
occur?

I. A
II. B
III. C

a. I only
b. I and II only
c. II and III only
d. I, II and III

References: CRE Primer, Sections II-60/61(and logic).

2.10.Reliability assurance is:

a. The probability of performing without failure specified function under given conditions for specified
period of time.
b. The exercise of positive and deliberate measures to provide confidence that a specified liability will be
obtained.
c. The probability that a lot or process will be accepted by the ultimate customer for use in their
environment.
d. The exercise of positive measures to remove any doubt that the system will meet the quality over time
requirement.

References: CRE Primer, Section II -2/6,(and logic). 1997 CRE Brochure Question #1.

2.11. It is reliability’s to see that all the tasks outlined in the reliability program are :

a. carried out by reliability engineering

b. Carried out by the department having the primary responsibility
c. Making sure that quality control does its job
d. Doing those jobs that the primary responsible departments are incapable of doing.

Reference: CRE Primer, Section III – 2/5,&85/86. 1976 published CRE Exam, Question 132.
2.12. Design plans are best developed for product reliability with significant input from which of the following ?

a. Quality management
b. General management
c. The project team
d. Reliability management

2.13. The reliability of a product is best described as:

a. The duration or probability of failure free operation of the product under specified conditions
b. The fitness for use of the product in fulfilling the defined expectations of the customer
c. The conditional probability that the product will meet the documented requirements
d. The measurement of the product*s failure rate during the constant failure rate period

Reference: CRE Primer, Section II-5 & 56.

2.14. In a design team environment, the reliability function can influence product reliability principally by:

a. Integrating the reliability requirements into product design

b. Developing reliability tests and procedures
c. Conducting internal and external failure analyses
d. Providing repair and maintenance service information

Reference: CRE Primer, Section II – 7/9, 69/71 & 80/81.

2.15. Successful reliability programs should address which of the following elements ?

I. Defining of the program and developing reliability goals and requirements

II. Designing for reliability and manufacturing feasibility
III. Assessing and measuring of reliability progress and ensuring reliable performance
IV. Providing for sequential and qualification testing plans in development

a. I and III only

b. II and IV only
c. I, II and III only
d. I, II, III and IV

Reference: CRE Primer, Section II-7/8 & 62/67 and RAC, RBPR-1.
2.16. An intelligent and good reliability program plan is one that:

a. Retains flexibility by not formalizing reliability activities so that it cannot be tied down contractually
b. Defines in detail the complementary activities necessary for improving and assessing the reliability
parameter
c. Delineates the responsibilities and interfaces in as general a manner as possible
d. Emphasizes the planning activities over the control activities

References: CRE Primer, Section II-7/9 and 67/68. 1967 published CRE exam, Question 68.

2.17. In describing the need for reliability improvement in a certain product to top management, the best
terminology to use is usually:

a. Weibull analysis
b. Failure modes-effects
c. Dollars and cents
d. Reliability centered maintenance

References: CRE Primer, Section-II-18/24(and logic). CQE Primer, Section III. Lloyd and Lipow, Reliability
Management, Methods, and Mathematics, Section I. Juran, J.M., Quality Control Handbook, Section 4. 1980
Published CRE Exam, Question 33(modified).

2.18. A plot of total cost as a function of reliability shows:

a. Little correlation between cost and reliability

b. Steadily decreasing cost with increasing reliability
c. Costs increasing to a maximum then decreasing with increasing reliability
d. Costs decreasing to a minimum then increasing with increasing reliability

References: CRE Primer, Section II – 24. 1980 Published CRE Exam, Question 68(modified)

2.19. Reliabilitly objectves and requirments should be set in which of the following life cycle phases ?

a. Concept and design

b. Validation and test
c. Operation and repair
d. Production

Reference:CRE Primer, Section II-18,& 64.

2.20. Which of the following is required to establish a reliability specification?

a. The usage environment

b. The system quality
c. The reliability policy
d. A reliability model

Reference:CRE Primer, Section II-6 & 25/26 (and logic).

2.21. According to the definition of reliability, performance, over the expe cted or intended life, is one
criterion. In order to obtain a measurement for reliability, the actual life (t) must be compared to which of the
Following?

a. Test cycles
b. Required life
c. MTBF
d. Probability of failures

References:CRE Primer, Sections II-5/6 (and logic). 1978 Published CQE Exam, Question 71 (modified).

2.22. The best way to set an overall reliability goal is to:

a. Write a specification calling for a product to have high reliability and incorporate it into a contract
b. Put down specific numerical requirements for reliability, statements of operating environments, and
a definition of successful product performance
c. Insist that the goal be expressed in terms of mean-time-between-failures for all components and
assemblies
d. Indicate who would be at fault if the desired reliability is not obtained during the warranty

References:CRE Primer, Section II-3/5, 7/9, 62/63 & 72/73 (and logic). 1997 CRE Brochure, Question#21.

2.23. Training needs assessment should consider which of the following issues?

I. The individual’s desires, learning styles and the organization’s requirements

II. Tasks, activities, and plans required to accomplish the organization’s objectives
III. Gap analysis of individuals, operations and organization performance to goals
IV. Compensation levels of individuals in each task category and pay for knowledge

a. I and III only

b. II and III only
c. I, II and III only
d. I,II,III, and IV

Reference:CRE Primer, Section II-75/77.

2.24. A reliability statement for a given product would be incomplete unless it included:

I. A numerical probability value

II. Operating time requirements
III. Successful product performance requirements
IV. Operating environmental requirements

a. I and II only
b. I, III and IV only
c. I, II and IV only
d. I,II,III and IV

References:CRE Primer, Section II-5/6. Similar to 1978 Published CQE Exam, Question 78 (modified).

2.25. If a customer does not specify the reliability requirements before the design of a product, which of the
Following actions should be taken?

a. The most cost effective reliability requirements should be used

b. Determine the customer expectations and use these “implied requirements”
c. Benchmark the competitor’s products and set the reliability requirements slightly better
d. Ask the Quality Department to establish the reliability requirement

Reference:CRE Primer, Section II-25/28.

2.26. In the House of Quality, the principal matrix shows the relationship between:

a. Specifications and results

b. Quality requirements and quality inspection
c. Wants and hows
d. Reliability results and time

Reference:CRE Primer, Section II-30/31

2.27. Concurrent engineering means:

a. Alternate designs being generated in parallel

b. Engineers working in tandem shifts to speed the process
c. An electrical engineering term
d. Use of inputs from all technical disciplines early and simultaneously

Reference:CRE Primer, Section II-12/14.

2.28. Which of the following is NOT a risk analysis method?

a. Worst-first
b. What-if
c. Delphi
d. HAZOP

Reference:CRE Primer, Section II-115.

2.29. Risk management includes which of the following?

I. Integration of risk evaluation in all design phases

II. Knowledge and consideration of liability law
III. Adopting procedures, policies, and practices to control risks
IV. Providing product labels and operator manuals where appropriate

a. I, II and III only

b. II and IV only
c. I,II and IV only
d. I,II,III and IV

Reference:CRE Primer, Section II-97/120 (several locations).

2.30. Product safety conformance programs do NOT provide which of the following ?

a. A process for designing, assembling, and delivering safe and effective products that deliver expected
level of performance
b. A process for the evaluation of product safety conformance
c. A rating system for evaluating the frequency and severity of risk aversion
d. The user with the safety risk information

Reference :CRE Primer, Section II – 97/120 (several locations).

2.31. Product reliability is cosidered which of the following ?

a. The responsibility to reduce hazards and risks in manufactured products

b. The responsibility to make good on any loss of damage caused as a result of a trasaction
c. The responsibility of the manufacturer to provide warning labels to the user
d. The responsibility of a manufacturer to recall product after a lawsuit

Reference :CRE Primer, Section II – 15/17,88

2.32. Product safety standards do NOT include :

a. Product requirements laws passed by governments

b. Requirements for general, equipment and component safety
c. Performance requirments for products
d. Evalution requirements for product safety testing

Reference :CRE Primer, Section II - 95/96.

2.33 Which of the following statements is true about the roles and responsibility of the reliability engeneering?

a. Ethics are not pertinent to the reliability engineer

b. The reliability engineer has little, if any, contact with people outside of the engineering department
c. The reliability engineer is very relevant to the design review process
d. The reliability engineer and the reliability manager often have conflicting objectives

Reference :CRE Primer, Section II – 80/84.

2.34. Risk management activities do NOT include:

a. Identifying the hazard

b. Rating the hazard
c. Controlling the hazard
d. Identifying similar hazards on other products

Reference :CRE Primer, Section II – 88 & 101/103. Additional information is available ni EN Safety
Of machinery – Risk Assessment , and CAN – CSA – Q634-91 – Risk Analysis Requirments and Guidelines.

2.35. An appropriate proper priority order for risk control activities is:

I. Employ protective measures (including alarms)

II. Use inherently safe designs
III. Provide the user with residual risk information

a. I, II, III
b. II, III, I
c. I, III, II
d. II, I, III

References: CRE Primer, Section II-113.

2.36. Which of the following are NOT risk assessment method?

I. FMEA and FTA

II. Delphi and MOSAR
III. HAZOP and Severity
IV. What-if and User focus reviews

a. I, II and III only

b. II, III and IV only
c. I and IV only
d. III and IV only

References: CRE Primer, Section II 115/117. Refer also to standard EN 1050 Safety of Machinery – Risk
Assessment.
2.37. Safety label construction components include which of the following?

I. An alert symbol
II. A signal-word
III. A pictorial of the hazard and consequence
IV. A safety message

a. I, II and III only

b. II, III and IV only
c. I, III and IV only
d. I, II, III and IV

References: CRE Primer, Section II – 97/99. ANSI Standard 535.4 and ISO Guide 51 Guidelines for the Inclusion
Of safety Aspects in Standards.

2.38. Hazard controls include which of the following?

I. Training, labeling, and operator manuals

II. Safety guards, fixed guards and interlocking guard
III. Two – handed controls, hold to run controls and controlling guards
IV. Procedures and work instructions

a. I, II and III only

b. II, III and IV only
c. I, III and IV only
d. I, II, III and IV

References: CRE Primer, Section II – 118/120(and logic). EN 295-1 Safety of Machines – Basic Concepts,
General Principles for Design – Part 1: Basic Terminology, Methodology.

2.39. Operator manuals are furnished by companies to support complex products. Which of the following
statement is NOT an inappropriate application of these manuals?

a. They provide an opportunity for companies to distribute safety information

b. They provide companies the opportunity to provide disclaimers
c. They should be evaluated with users to determine effectiveness
d. They are presented if a liability lawsuit arises

References: CRE Primer, Section II – 100. ANSI 353 Safety Labeling Standard.
2.40. When there is a bank of dials to be read on a monitoring panel, it helps to orient them in which one of the
following arrangements?

a. A random unpatterned display for the normal indication position to reduce boredom
b. Half in a patterned group for the normal position at the 12 o’clock position and half in a patterned
group at the 6 o’clock position to minimize eye fatigue.
c. All normal indication positions in a pattern so that normal readings are in the 9 o’clock or 12 o’ clock
position.
d. Each with the normal indication position in a new position varying in a clockwise pattern

References: CRE Primer, Section II -118 and Section VII – 11(and logic). 1974 Published CQE Exam, Question
36(slightly modified)

2.41. Which of the following statements is Not true?

a. Safe products start in the planning and design stage

b. One way to reduce liability risk is to label the product as having specific limitations
c. Under the law of strict liability a manufacturer may not be held responsible if a product has changed
hands
d. As long as a product is in operation a manufacturer can be held liable in the case of bodily injury

References: CRE Primer, Section IX and CRE Primer, Section II -80/81 & 85/90(and logic).

2.42. A man riding a child’s tricycle broke the seat and was injured. He sues the tricycle manufacturer for
producing a bad product. His lawsuit is claiming that the manufacturer is liable because:

a. It is under warranty
b. It is a strict liability issue
c. It is a negligence issue
d. It is a reasonable suit

References: CRE Primer, Section II – 15/17 & 81(and logic). Doty, L.A. Reliability for the Technologies.

2.43. Which of the following is Not Major consideration in performing a human factors analysis?

a. Hazard analysis
b. Conventional user expectations
c. Latent path analysis
d. Ergonomic evaluation

References: CRE Primer, Sections II – 57,105/120(and logic).

2.44. Which of the following are the most desirable basic skills required of a reliability engineer assigned to a
cross-functional product team?

a. Reliability trouble shooting, data collection and analysis

b. Experience with FMECA and FTA
c. Reliability planning, testing and measurement
d. Communication, Co-operation, and Technical knowledge

References: CRE Primer, Section II – 80/84.

2.45. Which answer provides the most useable order for the following training program development steps?

I. Evaluate and reinforce training results

II. Identify training objectives
III. Select training methods and techniques
IV. Assess training needs
V. Implement the training program

a. IV, II, III, V, I

b. IV, III, II, V, I
c. II, IV, III, V, I
d. II, III, V, IV, I

References: CRE Primer Section II – 75/79. Schermerhorn, Jr., J.R., Management for Productivity, Page 379.

2.46. What functions can normally be expected to be assigned to the reliability engineering department of a
company that emphasizes product reliability?

I. Maintain a failure reporting system

II. Establish reliability growth
III. Oversee use of statistical tools
IV. Evaluate customer surveys regarding product costs
V. Establish and maintain a corrective action system

a. I and II only
b. II and III only
c. I, II and III only
d. I, III, IV and V only

References: CRE Primer, Section II -2/4, 7/9 and 62/73. Ireson, W.G. and Coombs, C.F., Handbook of Reliability
Engineering and Management, Chapter1.
2.47. The optimum cost point for total life cycle costs occurs:

a. When operations and maintenance cost are minimized

b. When reliability program expenditures are maximized
c. When acquisition costs plus ongoing costs are minimized
d. When manufacturing and development costs are minimized

References: CRE Primer, Section II – 24.

2.48. Consider the following network, with events marked within the circles and durations in weeks:

The critical path is:

a. 1-3-6-8-10
b. 1-3-6-9-10
c. 1-4-6-8-10
d. 1-4-6-9-10

References: CRE Primer, Section II – 35/37.

2.49. The use of Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) requires:

a. The critical path to be known in advance

b. Slack times to be added to the critical path
c. Time estimates for each activity in the network
d. Less data than a Gantt Chart

References: CRE Primer, Section II – 34/36 & 42/43.

2.50. From the table below, what is the approximate software defect removal effectiveness at the design
phase?

Phase # of defects

Requirements 6
Design 8
Coding 10
Inspection 15
Testing 21

a. 23%
b. 13%
c. 9%
d. 15%

References: CRE Primer, Section II – 67.

2.51. From the figure, the higher reliability is shown by:

a. A
b. B
c. C
d. A, B and C are the same

References: CRE Primer, Section II – 60/61.