ASQ Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) Preparation Course
Unlock the path to professional success with this intensive, hands-on 5-day course designed to prepare you for the Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) exam, organised by the American Society for Quality (ASQ).
Industrial Reliability engineering is more than just improving the reliability of technical installations. Reliability engineers can also be responsible for actively improving the products produced by a company. Think of electronic components, household appliances, cars and even aircraft. A reliability engineer must be able to assess reliability not only at the design stage, but also during production and throughout the product's lifetime. This requires a deep and broad understanding of reliability, failure probabilities and patterns, as well as quality monitoring and testing strategies. This is why ASQ has established a detailed competence profile with an associated prestigious certificate that can be obtained after a thorough certification exam. This makes such certified reliability engineers of great added value in many industrial companies around the world.
The CRE course is designed for professionals who are preparing to take the Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) exam and want a structured, in-depth review of the key topics covered in the exam. It is ideal for individuals who have a foundational understanding of reliability engineering principles and are looking to enhance their knowledge and skills to achieve certification.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get trained by the renowned Reliability Expert Bill Keeter and gain a comprehensive understanding of key reliability engineering concepts, practical applications, and exam strategies that will elevate your career and position you as a leader in your field.
What you will learn
This course provides a unique blend of theory, application, and personalized preparation to ensure you are well-equipped for the CRE exam and beyond. Walk away with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make a lasting impact in your organization while advancing your professional journey.
- Reliability Management
- Strategic approaches to reliability program development.
- Best practices for managing organizational reliability initiatives.
- Probability and Statistics for Reliability
- Fundamental statistical principles and their application to reliability.
- Techniques for statistical inference and data-driven decision-making.
- Design for Reliability (DFR)
- Methods for designing systems with reliability in mind.
- Parts management to enhance product durability
- Reliability Modeling and Prediction
- Utilizing data sources and reliability block diagrams.
- Applying physics-of-failure methodologies for accurate predictions.
- Reliability Testing
- Planning and executing tests during development and production.
- Understanding product and lifecycle testing approaches.
- Maintainability and Availability
- Developing strategies for effective maintenance management.
- Analyzing testing methods to optimize system availability.
- Data Collection and Use
- Creating data collection frameworks for reliability improvement.
- Leveraging failure data to drive corrective actions.
- Preparing for the CRE Exam
- Proven study techniques and materials to optimize exam preparation.
- Practical test-taking strategies to improve confidence and performance.
You will :
- Engage in hands-on statistical calculations, reliability modeling, and predictions.
- Design reliability block diagrams and calculate system reliability.
- Develop a customized study plan for the CRE exam, including taking a diagnostic pretest and sample test.
- Build a robust data collection plan for failure analysis and reliability improvement.
Included:
- Practice exam
- Certificate of Completion
- The Certified Reliability Engineer Handbook, Third Edition (Mark Allen Durivage, Hardcover, 360 pagess)
- Lunch
- Printed handout of the slides
Attention: the examination fee for the CRE exam is not included. Participants will get instructions how to order and schedule the online CRE examination.
Course schedule
Day 1: Fundamentals and Reliability Basics
Morning
- Welcome and Course Overview
- Introduction to Reliability Engineering
- Definitions and Key Concepts
- The Role of a Reliability Engineer
- Probability and Statistics for Reliability
- Basic Probability Concepts
- Statistical Distributions and Their Applications in Reliability (e.g., Normal, Exponential, Weibull)
Afternoon
- Reliability Metrics and Measurements
- Mean Time to Failure (MTTF), Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
- Failure Rate, Availability, and Maintainability
- Reliability Life-Cycle and Systems Thinking
- Design for Reliability (DfR)
- Reliability in Operations and Maintenance
Daily Closeout:
- Record key learning points and questions
- Group discussion on challenges and takeways
Homework / practice:
- Review of Probability and Statistics Questions from the CRE Handbook
Day 2: Risk Management and Reliability Tools
Morning
- Review of Day 1 Key Learning Points and Questions
- Risk Analysis and Management
- Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)
- Risk Prioritization Techniques
Afternoon
- Reliability Testing and Data Collection
- Accelerated Life Testing
- Design of Experiments (DOE) for Reliability
- Test Planning and Execution
Daily Closeout:
- Record Key Learning Points and Questions
- Group Discussion on Challenges and Takeaways
Homework / practice:
- FMEA/FTA Case Studies
- Practice Problems on Reliability Testing
Day 3: Design and Modeling for Reliability
Morning
- Review of Day 2 Key Learning Points and Questions
- Reliability Design Principles
- Redundancy, Robust Design, and Error Proofing
- Environmental and Stress Considerations
- Reliability Prediction Models
- Parametric and Non-Parametric Models
- Weibull Analysis
Afternoon
- Reliability Block Diagrams (RBDs) and Monte Carlo Simulations
- Application of Reliability Models to Real-World Systems
Daily Closeout:
- Record Key Learning Points and Questions
- Group Discussion on Challenges and Takeaways
Homework / practice:
- Weibull Analysis Problem Set
- Create an RBD for a Given System
Day 4: Maintenance and Lifecycle Costing
Morning
- Review of Day 3 Key Learning Points and Questions
- Maintenance Strategies and Reliability
- Preventive and Predictive Maintenance
- Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM)
- Condition Monitoring and Diagnostics
Afternoon
- Lifecycle Cost Analysis
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
- Cost-Benefit Analysis for Reliability Interventions
- Maintenance Metrics and KPIs
- MTBF, MTTR, and Failure Analysis Metrics
Daily Closeout:
- Record Key Learning Points and Questions
- Group Discussion on Challenges and Takeaways
Homework / practice:
- Case Study on RCM Implementation
- Practice Questions on Lifecycle Costing
Day 5: Exam Review and Practice
Morning
- Review of Day 4 Key Learning Points and Questions
- CRE Exam Overview
- Structure and Key Focus Areas
- Test-Taking Strategies
- Review of Key Topics
- Probability and Statistics
- Risk Management Tools
- Reliability Modeling and Analysis
Afternoon
- Practice Exam
- Simulated CRE Exam with Timed Sections
- Group Discussion on Solutions and Key Learnings
- Final Q&A and Study Tips
- Personalized Action Plans for Exam Day
Course close:
- Wrap-Up and Feedback
- Certificates of Completion Distribution

About the trainer
Bill Keeter, Instructor, Certified Reliability Engineer Exam Preparatory Course
Bill Keeter brings over 30 years of exceptional experience in reliability engineering and maintenance management to his role as an instructor for the Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) Exam Preparatory Course. As the owner of BK Reliability Engineers, a highly regarded consulting firm, Bill has advised and collaborated with industry leaders across oil, gas, chemicals, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals. His clients have included BP Oil Company, Chevron, Occidental Petroleum, Petrobras, Pemex, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Inc., and United Defense, LLP.
Bill’s career is marked by a legacy of improving equipment availability, reducing maintenance costs, and successfully implementing predictive and preventive maintenance systems. He has held critical leadership roles, including Maintenance & Engineering Manager at AET Plastic Films, where he led strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency. He has also served as Plant Engineer at Borden Decorative Products and Electrical Maintenance Engineer/Supervisor at Albright & Wilson Americas, where he directed preventive maintenance programs and spearheaded production unit startups.
In addition to his hands-on expertise, Bill has made significant contributions to the development of competency frameworks for reliability and availability engineering as part of the PetroSkills® program. His dedication to advancing the field of reliability engineering is widely recognized by global organizations.
Bill holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Coker College. He has augmented his academic foundation with specialized training in Weibull Analysis of Failures, Reliability-Centered Maintenance, Life Cycle Cost Analysis, and Maintenance Program Development and Management.
With his vast expertise, proven success, and commitment to professional excellence, Bill Keeter provides invaluable insights and guidance to CRE exam candidates, preparing them to excel as certified reliability engineers.
Who should attend?
The course is especially beneficial for:
- Reliability Engineers: Seeking formal certification to validate their expertise and advance their careers.
- Maintenance and Operations Professionals: Looking to deepen their understanding of reliability principles to improve equipment performance and reduce downtime.
- Quality Engineers and Managers: Interested in integrating reliability engineering practices into quality systems for better process and product performance.
- Engineering and Technical Managers: Wanting to lead teams more effectively by understanding reliability metrics and tools.
- Aspiring Reliability Professionals: Individuals with relevant work experience who want to transition into reliability engineering roles and obtain their CRE certification.
Whether you are a seasoned professional or only have a few years of experience in the field, this course provides the tools, strategies, and exam preparation you need to succeed on the CRE exam and apply reliability engineering concepts in real-world scenarios.
Attention
Registration is possible until 21 August 2025.
The organiser reserves the right to cancel the training if the minimum number of participants is not reached.
We urge you to register well in advance.
Instructions on how to get to Novotel Brussel City centre
From Brussels Airport (Zaventem - BRU)
- Train: Take the IC train to Brussels Central Station (± 20 min). Walk 5 min to the hotel.
- Bus: Take Airport Line 12 to Trône. Walk 15 min or take Metro lines 1/5 to De Brouckère (2 stops).
From Brussels South (Midi) Train Station
- Metro: Take Line 3 or 4 to Bourse (3 stops). Walk 5 min.
- Train: Take any train to Brussels Central Station, then walk 5 min.
Public Transport (Metro/Tram/Bus)
- Metro: Lines 1 & 5 to De Brouckère or Central Station.
- Tram: Lines 3, 4, 32 to Bourse.
- Bus: Lines 29, 66, 71, 86 to De Brouckère.
Walking Distance: 5 min from Brussels Central & De Brouckère.