Life data analysis, or life distribution analysis, is the process of modeling the lifespan of a product, component, or system to predict lifetime or time to failure. For example, you can observe failure rates over time to predict when a computer component might fail. This technique enables you to compare materials and manufacturing processes for the product, enabling you to increase the quality and reliability of the product. Decisions on warranty periods and advertising claims can also be more accurate.

With the Life Distribution platform, you can analyze censored data in which some time observations are unknown. And if there are potentially multiple causes of failure, you can analyze the competing causes to estimate which cause is more influential.

You can use the Reliability Test Plan and Reliability Demonstration calculators to choose the appropriate sample sizes for reliability studies. These calculators are found at DOE > Sample Size and Power. See Prospective Sample Size and Power in the Design of Experiments Guide.