Failure Mode and Effect Analysis


Overview/Description
Customers are increasingly raising the demand for higher quality products, which places added pressure on companies to deliver product capability and functionality while trying to maintain the quality and reliability of these products. In the past, reliability was achieved through extensive testing but often this testing was done in the late stages of development. Using the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) methodology, companies can increase the scope for quality and reliability early in the development cycle. The FMEA helps keep products that fail to meet form, fit, or function requirements, from reaching the customer by helping to identify potential failures and recommending corrective action for fixing these failures or reducing their potential occurrence. This course examines possible applications of an FMEA and looks at how the FMEA process works. It also discusses the use of ranking scales for a DFMEA, and explains the differences between a Design FMEA and a Process FMEA.

Target Audience


Candidates for Black Belt certification; managers/executives overseeing personnel involved in the implementation of Six Sigma in their organization; consultants involved in implementing a Six Sigma proposal; and organizations implementing a Six Sigma project.

Expected Duration


2.0 hours

Objectives :

Lesson Overview

  • recognize the benefits of implementing an FMEA
  • Types of FMEA

  • differentiate between characteristics of DFMEAs and PFMEAs
  • When to Use an FMEA

  • identify situations when an FMEA is used to identify potential problems
  • Lesson Overview

  • identify the benefits of properly executing an FMEA rating system
  • FMEA Ratings

  • distinguish between the three kinds of ratings used in an FMEA
  • The FMEA Process

  • match the steps in the FMEA process with examples
  • Applying the FMEA Process

  • apply the steps for carrying out an FMEA process in a given situation
  • prioritize risks according to their RPN ratings

  • Course Number: oper_02_a03_bs_enus