Improving Product Reliability and Software Quality, 2nd Edition

Preface Second Edition

When this book was first published, the primary focus was on improving product reliability, why reliability improvement efforts fail, and how poor reliability negatively impacts current and future business. We discussed the ease with which consumers can research a product to determine consumer satisfaction and discover issues related to product reliability. To improve product reliability, we presented a comprehensive process for product development and an implementation strategy that any business can start. We also discussed ways to change the corporate culture so that it strives to design reliable products.

The importance of designing reliable products has not changed since the book was first published. However, much has changed in regard to the types of products being developed today compared to when the book was first published. The most significant change is the amount of software and firmware required for new products. The other significant change is the number of new products being developed that connect to the internet (IOT) to provide ease of use, communicate with other devices, aid in customer support and update software remotely. The internet provides the consumer with greater ease of use and a better user experience, but brings with it a new set of risks regarding security and privacy.

We changed the book title to Improving Product Reliability and Software Quality to convey the importance of software in product development. There are many books ...