What is the purpose of conducting a “Failure Modes and Effects Analysis” (FMEA)?

The primary purpose of conducting a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is to predict and prioritize potential problems that could occur in a process or product. FMEA is a systematic, structured approach that focuses on identifying various failure modes within a system, assessing their possible effects, and determining the causes of those failures. By prioritizing the risks based on their severity, occurrence, and detection, organizations can effectively develop action plans to mitigate those risks before they result in significant issues.

This analysis is especially valuable in Six Sigma methodology, where the focus is on improving process quality and reducing defects. The FMEA allows teams to allocate resources more efficiently by concentrating on the most critical concerns, thus enhancing overall process reliability and customer satisfaction.

In contrast, improving employee training programs, eliminating unnecessary processes, or evaluating market competition are not the core objectives of FMEA. These activities, while potentially beneficial in their own right, do not address the proactive identification and management of failures within a product or process as effectively as FMEA does.