Which sequence correctly represents the typical steps of FMEA?

Which sequence correctly represents the typical steps of FMEA?

• A. List potential failure modes; Identify effects and causes; Score severity, occurrence, and detection; Calculate Risk Priority Number (RPN); Prioritize action.
• B. Score severity first, then identify failure modes and causes; Calculate RPN; Prioritize action; List potential failure modes.
• C. Create a Gantt chart, then draft a RACI matrix; Develop a project charter; Build a dashboard.
• D. Develop a project charter; Build a dashboard; Validate trends; Close project.

Answer: (A)

FMEA is a proactive risk assessment method used to anticipate what could fail and how significant each failure could be. The typical flow follows a logical build from recognizing potential failures to prioritizing actions to prevent them. Start by listing potential failure modes for each function or component. Then identify the effects of each failure and the possible causes. Next, assign ratings for severity (how bad the effect is), occurrence (how likely the failure is), and detection (how likely current controls will catch it). Multiply these three scores to obtain the Risk Priority Number, which helps prioritize which risks to address first. Finally, implement corrective actions aimed at reducing the risk and then reassess to verify that the risk has diminished. Options that include project-management artifacts like Gantt charts, RACI matrices, project charters, or dashboards are not part of the FMEA sequence, and starting with scoring before identifying failure modes isn’t consistent with how FMEA is conducted.

FMEA is a proactive risk assessment method used to anticipate what could fail and how significant each failure could be. The typical flow follows a logical build from recognizing potential failures to prioritizing actions to prevent them. Start by listing potential failure modes for each function or component. Then identify the effects of each failure and the possible causes. Next, assign ratings for severity (how bad the effect is), occurrence (how likely the failure is), and detection (how likely current controls will catch it). Multiply these three scores to obtain the Risk Priority Number, which helps prioritize which risks to address first. Finally, implement corrective actions aimed at reducing the risk and then reassess to verify that the risk has diminished.

Options that include project-management artifacts like Gantt charts, RACI matrices, project charters, or dashboards are not part of the FMEA sequence, and starting with scoring before identifying failure modes isn’t consistent with how FMEA is conducted.