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Does the equipment work all the time when needed?

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Jason’s Answer

Actually there are entire careers (maybe even most careers) dedicated to equipment not working all the time! I'd check out reliability engineering and optimization. You can apply statistical models to best handle when things break and actually do it in a cost efficient manner!

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Mitchell’s Answer

Hey Brennan!

I’m not sure specifically what equipment you’re referring to, but generally speaking the answer is a resounding no. Is some fields it is important that equipment downtime is virtually none and imperative that it does nothing to cause harm or injury. But machines are machines - be they smartphones or earth-moving equipment or airplanes or robotic surgery devices - and problems will happen, often at the most inopportune times. In the business world, that usually means your hard drive crashes right before you were going to take a backup or the boardroom display screen dies in the middle of a big presentation. So to me, it’s not a matter of if but when something goes wrong. And honestly, what goes wrong is usually less important than how it is handled.

The first step is planning. Taking precautions in advance can help avoid the worst situations. The second step is having a thorough backup plan that you’ve practiced in advance. And finally, when the first two steps fail you, you remain calm, call upon your experience and knowledge (and that of others if required and available) and you deal with the problem head on.

Good luck!
Mitch

Mitchell recommends the following next steps:

Practice using the equipment - know it well
Develop a backup plan for equipment failure and practice implementing it
Build confidence in you ability to handle problems (hint: practice!)
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Maureen’s Answer

The question has a philosophical feel to it. Does the equiment work all the time, when needed. That same question can be applied to friends, family, the car! The answer is now. We live in a an imperfect world. I am a student of Quality philosophies. The philosophers are Deming, Ishikawa, Crosby and more. Zero defect is an intention and a goal, but we must all recognize that the process is ongoing. So, will the equipment work all the time, no - but we must study all the variables that may cause equipment to be unreliable and seek to prevent these breakdowns. As a sole operator in the world, we must be prepared for everything. I was, and still feel as, a Girl Scout. I was taught to always be prepared. Consider all the 'bad' that may happen if the equipment doesn't work, and prepare for that outcome.
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Tiago’s Answer

Definitively no! That's why processes should be robust enough and always have an alternate path, so you don't depend exclusively on a specific equipment to do the task. There's an interesting Six Sigma tool named FMEA that you can use to design the process thinking about all possible failures and their effects, so you can "fix them before they actually happen". Good luck!
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PETER’s Answer

The answer is no.Based on the nature, type, purpose and environment the equipment is used, equipments are at times faulty or break down when in use. So it all depends on the above factors not forgetting the user/applicant.
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