Problems and Solutions

Whether you are new to FMEA or more experienced, these problems will challenge your skills. The intermediate/advanced problem uses an actual airline disaster to challenge readers with an FMEA problem, and practice identifying the elements of an FMEA.

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Why Describing the Mode of Failure is Essential

Do you know why we ask for the “mode” of failure when performing FMEAs? This article will provide theory and practical examples of defining failure modes, and highlight an application tip that can improve your FMEA effectiveness.

“I haven’t failed, I’ve just found ten thousand ways that don’t work”
Thomas Edison

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FMEA Q and A

In this question, a reader asks how to define system-level functions, and how they are different from subsystem and component functions.

“A prudent question is one-half of wisdom.”
Francis Bacon

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Problems and Solutions

Do you consider yourself an FMEA beginner or are you more experienced? Challenge yourself with these problems about FMEA functions, and see how you do. One of the best ways to learn is by pondering application problems and seeing of you can solve them.

If you haven’t yet read last week’s article Understanding FMEA Functions – Part 1, it would be a good idea to read it now, as the questions are based on that article.

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The Essence of the Item

What is the essence of properly defined FMEA Functions? More than half of FMEA practitioners miss a key element when defining FMEA functions. This first article in the FMEA Definitions and Concepts Series will discuss functions and their application in FMEAs.

“A perfection of means, and confusion of aims, seems to be our main problem.”
Albert Einstein

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3 Medical Device Questions

FMEA Q & A

In these series of questions, a reader asks about whether system FMEAs in the medical device industry should include human interactions, and the difference between system and application FMEAs.

“The art of proposing a question must be held of higher value than solving it.”  Georg Cantor

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Six Essential Factors for FMEA Success

Problems and Solutions

Do you consider yourself an FMEA beginner or are you more experienced? Challenge yourself with these problems, and see how you do. One of the best ways to learn is by pondering actual application problems and seeing if you can solve them.

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Six Essential Factors for FMEA Success

Have you ever wondered what are the key ingredients for successful FMEA application in a company? Why are some FMEAs successsful, and others are not? What are the most important factors for uniformly achieving great results? Based on supervising or performing over two thousand FMEAs, six FMEA success factors have been identified, and they are covered in this article.

Nothing succeeds like success.
Alexandre Dumas

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Stand Like a Rock
(Problems and Solutions)

What did American inventor and businessman Charles Kettering  mean when he said, “A problem well stated is a problem half-solved”? Framing the problem and pondering solutions can be enlightening, and a great way to learn. This article will pose three problems and offer solutions, as a way to learn by doing.

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”
Confucius

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Stand Like a Rock

Nothing can undermine FMEA results more than approaching the subject from the wrong philosophy. In this article readers will learn how use key focus areas to achieve effective FMEAs in all applications.

“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.”
Thomas Jefferson

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A Brief Overview

Should an FMEA result in design or manufacturing improvements? Should it ensure that tests discover the right problems? What are the objectives of FMEAs? Whether you are new to FMEA or an experienced practitioner, there is always something to learn. This is the first in a series of articles on FMEA that should expand the knowledge of every reader.

“Successful engineering is all about understanding how things break or fail.” ~ Henry Petroski

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New Insights on Achieving FMEA Excellence

Do you consider yourself new to FMEA, or are you an FMEA expert?

Or somewhere in between?

I’m a great believer that knowledge of any tool such as FMEA, is a lifelong journey. In the new series of articles called Inside FMEA, my intention is to bring to life the subject of FMEA, and provide value to readers from all levels of experience.

Each week I will publish a new article on Accendo. The topics will span the full range of FMEA applications, and offer guidance to real-world challenges that FMEA teams face each and every day. [Read more…]