An Approach to Reliability Growth Without Dedicated Testing: A Case History and Some Results

A method for integrating R Growth objectives into an Engineering Design and Development Program is described. This technique was devised for and successfully implemented on a program to develop a ground based data communications system for the USAF. By carefully collecting failure and operating time data during Development Test and Evaluation (DT&E) activities, and correcting the problems discovered, significant R Growth was achieved without dedicating hardware to this purpose. A case history approach is used to describe how the program came about and was implemented, the results obtained, the kinds of problems one can expect, and pitfalls to avoid in future applications.