A deterministic risk reduction method for product reliability comprising the steps of: receiving a plurality of parameters associated with at least one of a goal concept, desired functionality and performance criteria for said product; performing an analysis of said product, said analysis comprising levels of cause and effect for identifying and quantifying key performance factors and failure mechanisms associated with said product; developing test protocols and subjecting said product to stress tests corresponding to said test protocols to determine at least one operating limit for said product, whereby a relationship between said stress and expected life of said product is provided; and estimating said product life based on said key performance factors and said stress tests.