Basic Information Required for FMECA

In general, FMEA/FMECA requires the identification of the following basic information

• Function(s)
• Items(s)
• Failure(s)
• Effect(s) of Failure
• Cause(s) of Failure
• Current Control(s)
• Plus other relevant details

Most analyses of this type also include some method to assess the risk associated with the issues identified during the analysis and to prioritise corrective actions. There are two common methods for this risk analysis. These are:

• Risk Priority Numbers (RPNs)
• Criticality Analysis (FMEA with Criticality Analysis = FMECA)

Standards and Guidelines

There are numerous standards and guidelines for the requirements and recommended reporting format of FMEAs and FMECs. Some of the main published standards for this type of analysis are found in SAE J1739, AIAG FMEA-3 and MIL-STD-1629A. However, many industries and companies have developed their own procedures to meet the specific requirements of their products/processes.