Reliability - Definition and Overview

In engineering in general, reliability is the capacity of a component or a system of such components to perform as designed. See reliability theory and reliable system design. Computer programs exist to quantify complex system reliability using the techniques of reliability modelling.

In telecommunication, the term reliability has the following meanings:

1. The ability of an item to perform a required function under stated conditions for a specified period of time.
2. The probability that a functional unit will perform its required function for a specified interval under stated conditions.
3. The continuous availability of communication services to the general public, and emergency response activities in particular, during normal operating conditions and under emergency circumstances with minimal disruption.

Source: from Federal Standard 1037C in support of MIL-STD-188

See also: ilities

In psychometrics, reliability is the precision (i.e., freedom from error) of the scores of a measure, see Reliability (psychometric).

In testing, reliability is the extent to which the measurements resulting from a test are the result of characteristics of those being measured. See Reliability (http://www.ericdigests.org/2002-2/reliability.htm) for a fuller description.