Blogs

Recording: ASQ RRD series webinar: From Hazard Identification to Resolution and Certification: Ensuring Safety in LRT Systems

By Tim Gaens posted 01/03/26
ASQ RRD series webinar: From Hazard Identification to Resolution and Certification: Ensuring Safety in LRT Systems Presenter: James Li and Sana Akhtar On Thursday, December 11, 2025 James Li and Sana Akhtar Presented: ASQ RRD series webinar: From Hazard Identification to Resolution and Certification: Ensuring Safety in LRT Systems Abstract: Safety is crucial while developing either a simple product or complicated systems such as Light Rail Transit Systems. To ensure that safety is embedded in a product system, a hazard management process should be established throughout its life cycle. This begins with hazard identification, safety risk assessment, ...

ASQ RRD series webinar: Translating Risk – Communicating Reliability and Safety Findings to Non-Technical Stakeholders

By Tim Gaens posted 01/03/26
ASQ RRD series webinar: Translating Risk – Communicating Reliability and Safety Findings to Non-Technical Stakeholders Presenter: Manju Maheve Thursday, March 12, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) https://asq.webex.com/weblink/register/rf7ff2e3543e193942a9dd0effe5f511d Abstract: Aerospace systems generate vast amounts of reliability and safety analysis – FMEAs, FTAs, PHM results, Safety cases, hazards and risk metrices. Yet even the most rigorous analysis can fail to influence decisions if it is not communicated clearly to non-technical stakeholders such as program managers, certification authorities and customers. ...

ASQ RRD series webinar: The Enemies of System Thinking

By Tim Gaens posted 01/03/26
ASQ RRD series webinar: The Enemies of System Thinking Presenter: David Auda Thursday, Feb 12, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) https://asq.webex.com/weblink/register/rff790a9705f140b136c65e63a5294185 Abstract: System thinking offers a holistic framework for understanding complex, interconnected systems, emphasizing relationships and feedback loops rather than isolated components. However, its effective application faces significant challenges. The primary enemies of system thinking include cognitive biases that favor linear, reductionist approaches, organizational silos that fragment knowledge, and cultural inertia that ...

ASQ RRD series webinar: Human Reliability

By Tim Gaens posted 01/03/26
ASQ RRD series webinar: Human Reliability Presenter: James Brenneman Thursday, Jan 08, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) https://asq.webex.com/weblink/register/r4355b1335eb6bd0390629e3d2e1d92d7 James Brenneman 45+ years experience in Applied statistics in industry, 40+ years as a Reliability Engineer. Safety Risk analysis and forecasting my specialty. Co-author of USAF Weibull Analysis Handbook, authored numerous other papers in Reliability & statistics. Primary goal is to act as a change agent by passing along my experience and lessons learned to younger generation. Specialties: Applied statistics, Reliability engineering, ...

R.A.M.S. Europe 2026 Visa Pre-Invitation letter

By Tim Gaens posted 12/08/25
R.A.M.S. Europe 2026 Visa Pre-Invitation letter available on https://rams-europe.org/visa-pre-invitation-letter/

ASQ RRD series webinar: From Hazard Identification to Resolution and Certification: Ensuring Safety in LRT Systems

By Tim Gaens posted 12/08/25
ASQ RRD series webinar: From Hazard Identification to Resolution and Certification: Ensuring Safety in LRT Systems Presenter: James Li and Sana Akhtar Thursday, December 11, 2025 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) https://asq.webex.com/weblink/register/rb0bc5622b87669349d4ec4892d401051 Abstract: Safety is crucial while developing either a simple product or complicated systems such as Light Rail Transit Systems. To ensure that safety is embedded in a product system, a hazard management process should be established throughout its life cycle. This begins with hazard identification, safety risk assessment, elimination, or ...

Update of the CRE Handbook – 4th edition

By Tim Gaens posted 12/08/25
We are proud to announce that all-new ASQ Certified Reliability Engineer Handbook. 4th edition. is in the warehouse!! Updated by Karen Hulting and Mary McShane Vaughn The updated handbook follows the 2025 CRE BOK and incudes: New topics Such as project management in reliability engineering, the quality risk assessment. and software/firmware reliability. A thorough review of probability and statistics for reliability, dozens Of practical examples to illustrate key concepts. Expanded discussions of reliability strategy. defect tracking. environmental. social. and governance (ESG) policies. root cause analysis. lean and Six Sigma methodologies, reliability ...

R.A.M.S. Europe 2026 Keynote speakers

By Tim Gaens posted 12/08/25
Frank Børre Pedersen Vice President and Programme Director at DNV LinkedIn About Dr Pedersen Frank Børre currently leads the Maritime Programme of DNV’s Research and Development unit. The programme consists of 30+ researchers and focuses on research into low- and zero-carbon fuels, ship autonomy, simulation technologies, and emerging digital and computational technologies. His primary focus is working with key stakeholders in the maritime industry to develop and quality assure technologies that will drive the digitalization, decarbonization, safety, and efficiency of vessel operations and inspections. His technical and managerial experience across ...

ASQ RRD series webinar: FMEA, RCM or RCA? Which is the right one for the issues I have?

By Tim Gaens posted 10/22/25
ASQ RRD series webinar: FMEA, RCM or RCA? Which is the right one for the issues I have? Presenter: David Auda Thursday, November 13, 2025 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) https://asq.webex.com/weblink/register/rfffb72a2c3644dba1135fc3316228c78 Abstract: There are a lot of different tools available to reliability practitioners, maybe too many to choose from. In my career there have been numerous occasions when individuals didn’t know what tool to use and, and in some instances, they chose the wrong tool. Not knowing which tool to use or picking the wrong tool will result in ineffective results and valuable time ...

https://asqrrd.org/r-a-m-s-europe-2026-call-for-papers/

By Tim Gaens posted 09/30/25
Call for papers R.A.M.S. Europe 2026 What We Are Looking For: • Regular Papers: Accepted papers will be presented during the conference and submitted to IEEE Xplore. • Tutorials: Comprehensive sessions which equip attendees with practical knowledge for their professional work. • Presentations Only: Contributions of practical value presented without formal proceedings. No papers expected. • Posters: Ideal for sharing preliminary findings, innovative concepts, or ongoing research in a concise format. • Special Sessions: Opportunities for volunteers to develop topic focused sessions. More info: CFP

Announcement: R.A.M.S. EUROPE 2026

By Tim Gaens posted 09/30/25
R.A.M.S. Europe 2026 2026 European Conference on Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Safety June 24-25, 2026 | Scandic Nidelven, Trondheim, Norway More info see https://rams-europe.org/

ASQ RRD series webinar: Machine Learning and Response Surface Optimization: Applications in Engineering Analysis

By Tim Gaens posted 09/25/25
ASQ RRD series webinar: Machine Learning and Response Surface Optimization: Applications in Engineering Analysis Presenter: Julio Lebrón Feliciano Thursday, October 9, 2025 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) https://asq.webex.com/weblink/register/r02a519bf7c27747dc59742ccb2368d59 Abstract: Some engineering analysis problems involve the use of high-fidelity physics-based computational models. This poses two challenges: 1) certain phenomena may be too complicated to model through physics-based models or through simple empirical regression models; 2) calibrating physics-based computational models to match test data can become ...

ASQ RRD series webinar: From Hazard Identification to Resolution and Certification: Ensuring Safety in LRT Systems

By Tim Gaens posted 09/25/25
ASQ RRD series webinar: From Hazard Identification to Resolution and Certification: Ensuring Safety in LRT Systems Presenter: James Li and Sana Akhtar Thursday, December 11, 2025 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) https://asq.webex.com/weblink/register/rb0bc5622b87669349d4ec4892d401051 Abstract: Safety is crucial while developing either a simple product or complicated systems such as Light Rail Transit Systems. To ensure that safety is embedded in a product system, a hazard management process should be established throughout its life cycle. This begins with hazard identification, safety risk assessment, elimination, or ...

ASQ RRD series webinar: An insight into potential impact of an improved reliability definition on identifying possible regulator

By Tim Gaens posted 09/06/25
ASQ RRD series webinar: An insight into potential impact of an improved reliability definition on identifying possible regulator Presenter: Jingsong Xie Thursday, Sep 11, 2025 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) https://asq.webex.com/weblink/register/rec5859bc23fb5013dcfbfcd598c913d0 abstract: To explore and address a fundamental question: What needs to be done to ensure the validity of decisions for a safety purpose? Key discussion points that might be of particular interest to the audience include: 1. Why ensuring a complex system meets safety requirements, in particular, is a matter of decision making, thus making valid ...

Pictures of RMMR 2025

By Tim Gaens posted 09/06/25
Who likes to get some impression of RMMR 2025 can have a look here: https://asqrrd.org/reflections-on-rmmr-2025/

Pictures of R.A.M.S. Europe 2025

By Tim Gaens posted 09/06/25
Who likes to get some impression of R.A.M.S. Europe 2025 can have a look here: https://asqrrd.org/r-a-m-s-europe-2025-conference-success/

RAMS 2026: Call for Panelist: Developing the Next Technical Talent

By Tim Gaens posted 09/06/25
Call for Panelists: Developing the Next Technical Talent We are excited to invite professionals in Reliability and Maintainability to join us as panelists at the upcoming Reliability and Maintainability Symposium (RAMS) , taking place January 19th–22nd, 2026 , in Miramar Beach, FL, USA ( https://rams.org/ ). This panel will explore the collaborative journey of developing the next generation of technical talent, focusing on: Balancing education with real-world application to prepare individuals for success Effective strategies for mentoring, coaching, and advocating for rising professionals Lessons learned: what works—and what doesn’t—in ...

R.A.M.S. Europe 2025 – conference success

By Tim Gaens posted 09/06/25
The inaugural First R.A.M.S. Europe Conference was a great success.We documented a landmark event that brought the R.A.M.S. conference to Europe for the first time, uniting a vibrant community of experts from industry, academia, and government. Held in Amsterdam on August 6–7, 2025, under the theme “Reliability Foundations,” the conference underscored the critical importance of revisiting the core principles of reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. We were honored to feature two keynote addresses: Nripendra Patel (ASML), who shared industry insights from one of the world’s leading ...

Reflections on RMMR 2025

By Tim Gaens posted 09/06/25
Our recent 2025 conference in Charlotte NC included a cadre of Reliability and Safety professionals who shared on various topics of interest. The conference hosted an expert panel on “Safety and Reliability Implications in New Generation Systems and Processes”, which invariably included the advancement and concerns of Artificial Intelligence in systems. In concluding this year’s successful conference, we will move forward taking into consideration what we have learned and what we need to learn in order to meet future Reliability and Safety demands. If you were not able to attend this year’s conference, please note that we will be ...

RAMS 2026 location and dates change

By Trevor Craney posted 09/03/25
By now, many of you may have noticed that the RAMS 2026 website information has changed. Due to an unforeseen scenario, it was necessary to move the conference from its previously planned destination and dates in Las Vegas. RAMS 2026 will take place January 19-22 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach hotel in Miramar Beach, FL. For those who attended RAMS 2025, this is a familiar location. We had a very good experience there and we were lucky enough to quickly make the change to this location. The RAMS Management Committee is steadily working to ensure we deliver a RAMS experience similar to previous symposia. The draft program matrix is already available ...