Risk Prioritization in FMEA

Abstract

Carl and Fred discuss a question from a reader about risk prioritization in FMEA procedure.

Key Points

Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the role of risk prioritization in FMEA, what is it, and what is the best way to prioritize risk in FMEA.

Topics include:

Discussion of history of risk prioritization in FMEA procedure
Discussion of the range of risk assessment in FMEAs, from extreme to inconsequential
The three elements of risk assessment: severity, occurrence, detection, and how can they be integrated into a risk prioritization method
Getting to the vital few, not the trivial many
Risk prioritization, if done properly, identifies the vital few issues
Pitfalls of RPN: high severity – low RPN can still be high risk
Avoid a numbers game
Simplify with 5 point scale, to save time
Simplify with SOD matrix, not make the risk visible
Keep FMEA focus on reducing risk, not filling out a form.
Use strategies such as fail-safe to reduce severity risk
Management should be involved in reviewing high-risk issues
When you do FMEA, and when is FTA needed?
Discussion of case study on a chip socket, and what can be learned?

Enjoy an episode of Speaking of Reliability. Where you can join friends as they discuss reliability topics. Join us as we discuss topics ranging from design for reliability techniques to field data analysis approaches.