ABSTRACT
Failure analysis and investigation is similar to solving a jigsaw puzzle. It requires a systematic approach which provides answers to the questions of what, how, and why of failure. With this information at hand, the team may then be able to suggest a path forward so that future failures may be eliminated. In fact, successful product verification and validation, yield little information on which to base design improvements. Failures, on the other hand, contribute a wealth of data on “what to improve” or “what to design against” in subsequent efforts. This chapter provides an overview of the DMAIC mind set in failure investigations.
