tillförlitlighet

Tillförlitlighet, a Swedish term meaning reliability or dependability, refers to the quality of being trustworthy and consistently capable of performing a required function without failure. The word is derived from the Swedish roots "till" (to) and "förlitlig" (reliable). In everyday use it describes people, systems, or products that can be relied upon.

In engineering and quality management, tillförlitlighet is expressed through quantitative indicators such as mean time between failures (MTBF), mean time to repair (MTTR), and failure rate. These metrics are fundamental for designing and maintaining equipment, software, and safety-critical systems. Standards such as ISO 9001 and IEC 61508 require organizations to evaluate and improve the tillförlitlighet of their processes and products.

In statistics and psychometrics, tillförlitlighet denotes the consistency and stability of measurement instruments. It is often assessed by test‑retest reliability, inter‑rater reliability or internal consistency indices such as Cronbach’s alpha. High tillförlitlighet indicates that repeated measures or different observers yield comparable results.

The concept is distinct from trust. Trust involves a subjective expectation of another party’s goodwill, whereas tillförlitlighet is an objective characteristic that can be measured and verified. A system can be highly tillförlig yet lack the personal trust that is cultivated through interpersonal relationships.

In Swedish corporate culture, tillförlitlighet is considered a core value. It underpins customer satisfaction, safety compliance, and long‑term business relationships. Companies that consistently demonstrate high tillförlitlighet often enjoy a competitive advantage and stronger stakeholder confidence.