CRITERIA FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF FMEAS

Quality failures can be costly to an organization.To avoid failures, organizations perform a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis for both the design of a product, and the manufacturing and assembly processes that create the product.However, there is a lack of assessment criteria for Failure Modes and Effects Analysis.The approach used is design methods, which consist of exploration of a problem, solution creation, solution evaluation, and communication of the solution.Literature was explored to understand what is required for performing a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis and assessment criteria were developed.The assessment criteria were then evaluated using a case study consisting of applying the criteria to an organization's Failure Modes and Effects Analysis.An assessment of the Failure Modes and Effects Analysis for the development of a product and a process identified shortcomings, which presented opportunities for improvements.The assessment criteria were found to be suitable for manufactured products, with minor improvements.This paper provides concrete criteria for the assessment of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, which is lacking in the literature.The criteria identified provide organizations with an opportunity to assess and improve their Failure Modes and Effects Analysis.