1. Potential Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is widely used by manufacturing industries in various phases of the product life cycle and is now increasingly finding use in the service industry. It is described by
AIAG,
QS-9000,
SAE J 1739, IEC 60812, JEP131 and other standards, sometimes called "automotive" or "AIAG" (Automotive Industry Action Group) FMEA. It is required by many other standards like ISO 14971 (Medical devices risk management) and more.
Potential FMEA is analytical technique utilized as a mean to assure that, to the extent possible, potential failure modes and their associated causes/mechanisms have been considered and adressed. Corrective actions are suggested and selected for implementation and control plan is formed as part of the procedure.
Potential FMEA deals with Severity, Occurrence and Detection rankings, multiplication of these 3 ranks gives us RPN - Risk Priority Number, which is a measure of risk.
Any entity like product, process, software, system etc. may be a subject of this analysis.
The screenshot below illustrates FMEA example done using RAM Commander software:
See RAM Commander
Potential FMEA Software Module for more information about this FMEA type.
2. Hardware FMEA and FMECA (Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis) is a continuation of system reliability analysis. It is required and compatible with
MIL-STD-1629A and other standards (like
GJB 1391,
GJB 1392, AIR FORCE SMC REGULATION
800-31 and more). Many standards and regulations for aerospace, defence, telecommunications, electronic and other industries require that FMECA analysis must be performed for all designed/manufactured/acquisition systems, especially if they are mission or safety critical.
