Currently, reliability issues are not addressed effectively in the development of new products, especially in the early stages of this process. Product reliability depends both on the technical decisions made in these early stages and also on the impact of commercial outcomes in the latter stages. By using an effective methodology for reliability performance and specification, one can make better decisions.

Product Reliability develops a framework which links reliability specifications and product performance in the context of new product development. In order to address the product performance necessary to achieve the accomplishment of business objectives, this book:

 considers how customer needs and business objectives can be translated into product development so that desired performance is matched or exceeded in reality;

 discusses the data requirements and the tools and techniques needed to build the models which play an important role in the decision-making process;

 provides a structured approach that is applicable to many kinds of products.

As an overview of reliability performance and specification in new product development, Product Reliability is suitable for managers responsible for new product development. The methodology for making decisions relating to reliability performance and specification will be of use to engineers involved in product design and development. This book can be used as a text for graduate courses on design, manufacturing, new product development and operations management and in various engineering disciplines.