Reliability Growth Management Within a Car Program - A Case History

An approach of integrating reliability growth objectives into a car development program is described. This paper looks at the car development program from design as well as process related reliability. Aerospace and electronic industries have extensively utilized the basic principles of reliability growth during system development. This material provides insight into the application of the same principles by one of the automotive manufacturers for a future car program. Reliability objectives for vehicle systems, and components were established at the start of the program. Problems from tests, build, divisional reviews, etc., were compiled into one list and managed by multi-disciplinary development teams. The vehicle test results were compared against established world class objectives. This case history is used to describe how the program came about, and was implemented, the kinds of problems one can expect, and pitfalls to avoid in future application.