Mean time to failure

As explained in Think Like a CTO

Time to failure is the expected or observed duration until a hardware component stops functioning.

Mean time to failure (MTTF) is the expected lifetime of a hardware component before it stops functioning. It is a planning estimate, not a guarantee: components may last longer or fail sooner. Moving parts such as fans and hard disks, including SSDs, can require replacement after only a few years. section 13.1 section 8.3.2

Use MTTF with a hardware inventory to schedule preventive maintenance, purchase replacements early, and avoid difficult sourcing when equipment becomes obsolete. Record the estimate when hardware is installed, while configuration and purchase details are readily available. section 13.6 section 8.3.2

Apply the metric operationally by asking:

• Which components are approaching their expected lifetime? section 13.1
• Do replacement units remain available, or could sourcing require secondhand equipment? section 13.1
• Has the expected life and installation date been recorded in the inventory? section 8.3.2

Replacing before failure

A team tracks fans and hard disks in a spreadsheet, notes their installation dates and expected lifetimes, and keeps replacements in stock. This costs more before failure but reduces avoidable downtime and emergency sourcing. section 13.1 section 13.6

Figure 13.1 Servicing an engine

Use the engine-servicing analogy to connect routine maintenance with replacing hardware before failure creates greater cost and inconvenience. section 13.1

How Think Like a CTO covers it

How deep it goes

Explains expected lifetime, variability, inventory timing, and sourcing risk, but stops short of reliability calculations.

Examples

Uses fans, hard disks, SSDs, spreadsheets, replacement stock, secondhand sourcing, and an engine-servicing analogy.

What it assumes

Assumes responsibility for hardware inventory but teaches that manufacturer life guidance belongs in installation records.

What you can do after

Apply it by recording component lifetimes, scheduling replacements, and stocking parts before failure or scarcity.

How it connects

Connects hardware inventory with preventive maintenance, replacement planning, equipment sourcing, and downtime.

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Related concepts

• hardwaremeasures · Hardware is the physical equipment and components of a computing system that provide resources for computation and software execution.
• requirementsconfigures · A requirement is a stated need, capability, quality, condition, or constraint that a system, product, solution, or project is expected to satisfy.

This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Think Like a CTO. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.