Method · reference manual

What is FMEA?

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis

In 30 seconds

FMEA is a method for systematically analysing how a design (DFMEA) or process (PFMEA) can fail, the effects and causes of those failures, and reducing the risk in advance. In automotive the current reference is the AIAG & VDA FMEA Handbook.

How does it work?

  • Scope and structure are set; functions and possible failure modes are identified.
  • For each failure, the effect, cause and current prevention/detection controls are evaluated.
  • Risk is prioritised (Action Priority, AP, in the AIAG & VDA approach) and actions are defined.

Often confused with

RPN and Action Priority

The older approach ranked risk by severity × occurrence × detection (RPN). The AIAG & VDA handbook instead uses an Action Priority (AP) table that puts severity first.

Common mistakes

  • Preparing the FMEA once and never updating it with field complaints.
  • Leaving actions without owners and deadlines.

From a QWorks perspective

FMEA is part of the QWorks platform vision; the aim is a lifecycle in which complaint and root-cause data feed back into the FMEA.

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