“Innovation has a lot to do with timing.” — Steve Jobs
When FMEAs are done is just as important as how they are done. In this article, I’ll share evaluation criteria for the FMEA Quality Objective regarding timing.
In FMEAs, what is meant by timing?
FMEAs need to be completed through Recommended Actions, Actions Taken, and risk reduced to an acceptable level by certain dates. Meeting the timing objectives of FMEAs means they were started and completed by the required dates.
When do FMEAs need to be done?
System and Design FMEA should be completed by Product Design Freeze. This is the date in a product development program where there can be no more design changes. Similarly, Process FMEAs should be completed before the manufacturing process is finalized, meaning no further changes can be made to the manufacturing process.
What is the FMEA Quality Objective related to Timing?
The FMEA is completed during the “Window of Opportunity” where it could most efficiently impact the product design and the test plan (for Design FMEAs) or the manufacturing process (for Process FMEAs).
How can you assess how well an FMEA meets the Quality Objective for Timing?
This can be done in 3 steps:
- Review if the FMEA was done properly through risk reduced to an acceptable level.
- Review the FMEA completion date compared to the corresponding program benchmark, such as product design freeze, for Design FMEA, or manufacturing finalization date, for Process FMEAs.
- Talk with the FMEA team to determine their level of understanding of the rationale for FMEA timing.
What is an example of assessing Quality Objective # 11?
As an example, we’ll use an excerpt from a fictitious Design FMEA on a bicycle handbrake to assess Quality Objective 12.
Based on the excerpt of the handbrake DFMEA, here is an example of the evaluation of FMEA Quality Objective # 12: Timing
Examplehandbrakeaddressingtiming
Tip
Keep in mind the reason for timing as an FMEA quality objective. The FMEA needs to impact the design or manufacturing process in a beneficial way. An FMEA that does not reduce risk to a level that is acceptable but is done “on time,” does not meet this quality objective.
Summary
The timing of an FMEA is an important attribute of well-done FMEAs. By following the advices in this article, you can evaluate how well your FMEA meets this standard.
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