Optimizing reliability testing with limited resources

In the current limited budget environment, more government entities are using commercial and commercial off-the shelf (COTS) products, which may not have the resources or documentation to ensure high quality and high reliability components. It is then up to the program to determine the quality and reliability properties (estimated failure rate, consumer´s risk, environmental limitations, etc). This type of life testing can be costly and time consuming. In order to minimize the cost, the number of components required for reliability testing and the number of hours required to test must be optimized using statistical and reliability testing techniques. A step-by-step methodology using reliability testing parameters and statistical standards to optimize and define the number of components and test time required to achieve a desired confidence in reliability will be presented. This paper will discuss all aspects of a reliability and quality test plan and present the way to inform the management of those risks.