Before starting with FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), it’s important to have a basic understanding of the following concepts:
- System or process being analyzed: Understand the system or process being analyzed, including its purpose, functions, inputs, and outputs.
- Failure mode: Understand what a failure mode is and how it can occur. A failure mode is the way in which a component, subsystem, or process can fail to meet its intended function.
- Severity: Understand how to assess the severity of a failure mode. Severity is the potential impact of a failure mode on the system, process, or end user.
- Occurrence: Understand how to assess the occurrence of a failure mode. Occurrence is the likelihood that a failure mode will occur.
- Detection: Understand how to assess the detection of a failure mode. Detection is the likelihood that a failure mode will be detected before it impacts the system, process, or end user.
- Risk priority number (RPN): Understand how to calculate the RPN, which is a numeric value used to prioritize failure modes for further action.
- Corrective actions: Understand the types of corrective actions that can be taken to reduce the likelihood or severity of a failure mode.
- Follow-up: Understand the importance of follow-up after implementing corrective actions to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability.
It’s also important to have a cross-functional team involved in the FMEA process to ensure that all relevant perspectives are considered. Finally, ensure that the FMEA process is documented and communicated effectively to relevant stakeholders.