ABSTRACT
Experienced design and manufacturing engineers instinctively analyze their designs and processes for potential failures. However, this type of improvised analysis is typically unstructured and undisciplined and is largely dependent on the personalities and experience of the individuals involved. FMEA, on the other hand, seeks to formalize and systematize the process to ensure that a new design is not released without being subjected to a formal review and correction procedure. FMEA imposes discipline by requiring formal documentation and rigorous procedures. Hence, successful use of FMEA generally requires that it be a planned step in the firm's product design process.
