Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis
Basics
- Often abbreviated as FMECA
- FMECA is an analytical method which may be performed at either the overall device or individual part level to determine which parts may fail, and how likely they are to fail
- Unlike FMEC, it also includes a criticality analysis, which is used to chart the probability of failure modes against the severity of their consequences. The result highlights failure modes with relatively high probability and severity of consequences, allowing developers to fix the most severe and likely points of failure, before the very likely, but less critical ones, and then fine troubleshooting
- Used as a standard system by NASA
- From the wikipedia page:
"According to an FAA research report for commercial space transportation,
'Failure Modes, effects, and Criticality Analysis is an excellent hazard analysis and risk assessment tool, but it suffers from other limitations. This alternative does not consider combined failures or typically include software and human interaction considerations. It also usually provides an optimistic estimate of reliability. Therefore, FMECA should be used in conjunction with other analytical tools when developing reliability estimates.' "
