Abstract

Carl and Fred discussing the application of Risk Priority Number (RPN) in FMEA procedure. There are limitations to the value of RPNs, and these limitations need to be known and addressed to ensure FMEAs prioritize corrective actions properly.

Key Points

Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the proper use and limitations of RPNs in FMEA projects.

Topics include:

• What is RPN?
• Limitations of use of RPNs in FMEAs
• How to address RPN limitations
• Address high severity first, regardless of RPN
• RPN vs Criticality
• Proper procedure to prioritize issues for corrective action

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.

SOR 234 The Use of RPNsCarl S. Carlson

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Show Notes

Excerpt from chapter 6 of Effective FMEAs:

“There is no perfect risk priority system. RPN is one way for the FMEA team to take into account the three types of risks, namely, risk due to the severity of the effect of the failure mode, risk due to the frequency of occurrence of the cause of the failure mode, and risk due to the ability to detect the failure mode and its cause. However, the FMEA team needs to be aware of the limitations of RPN, and always remember to address the severity risk separately.

“High severity is high risk, regardless of the RPN. Therefore, it is always necessary to address high severity in addition to high RPN.”

Also be sure to check out Carl’s new article series, Inside FMEA