The use of this method is indispensable in the areas of production, administration and services. The avoidance of errors is a central issue for these areas, because in the administration, the provision and consumption of services take place in parallel. As a rule, it is very difficult to make improvements, and if so, then not without damage to the company's reputation and high costs.
Use of FMEA
FMEA is mainly used in the development of new products and processes. Even if these are to be changed and adapted, the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis is used. The strategy is to avoid errors. In concrete terms, this means that risk assessments are carried out which illustrate in critical sub-areas where the focus must be placed on avoiding errors. This results in fewer errors during production, thus increasing the quality of the product.
FMEA analysis is applied especially in the design or development phase of new products. This method is also widely used in the automotive and aerospace industries. But also other branches of industry increasingly demand a properly performed FMEA analysis and use FMEA training courses for this purpose.
A possible field of application of FMEA analysis is the risk analysis of the inside of an organization project and especially the risk analysis. This method also meets with great acceptance in the target conception, where possible errors of processes are illustrated. In order to use the advantages of group dynamic processes, the method should, if possible, be carried out as group work in training courses.
Advantages of the FMEA analysis
The use of FMEA analysis offers companies many advantages. First and foremost, the cost savings that result from the avoidance of errors in the production phase. At the same time, FMEA offers the possibility to increase the quality of the products through the analysis.
As far as the employees are concerned, the awareness of quality is promoted among them, which additionally contributes to a further improvement of the quality of the products and work processes. In addition, there is a constant and cross-divisional exchange of specialist knowledge within the company. This enables specialists and employees to further develop their skills.
The analysis enables a complete and proper documentation of weak points and points out possible errors. Thus, countermeasures can be taken quickly, which is a great help for the future of a company.
FMEA VDA/AIAG Alignment
Various methodical requirements and specifications are made of FMEA. These specifications differ from the manuals and standards of the umbrella organisations VDA (German Association of the Automotive Industry) and AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group) in essential points such as risk assessment, delimitation or evaluation tables. In the past, this has often led to never-ending disputes and discussions, resulting in considerable additional work and expense.
In order to simplify the exchange and cooperation across continents, the umbrella associations VDA and AIAG have decided to create a uniform, joint document with FMEA-compliant requirements. The FMEA VDA-AIAG Alignment is important for the industry, as the FMEA VDA-AIAG unit ensures a uniform standard in the automotive industry.
What changes does the alignment bring about?
During alignment, seven FMEA steps are now used instead of the previous five FMEA steps (in the VDA). The FMEA method is supplemented by a further step, the "planning and preparation activity". The aim here is to focus systematically and at an early stage on processes and assemblies. As a risk matrix, alignment sets task priority as its goal. The RPN (risk priority number) is omitted for this purpose. Furthermore, all companies use a standardized FMEA form. With the alignment, the evaluation system for significance, occurrence and detection contains a modified definition for each level. The RPN is replaced by the task priorities (AP). The assessments "occurrence, significance and detection" result in an action priority (HP). The "recommended actions" are extended by an additional column "Status".
Advantages of software support for the creation of an FMEA
Software supports risk management by analyzing system statuses and providing a qualitative assessment of the measures taken. In doing so, it helps to evaluate "occurrence, significance as well as discovery" in the context of quality assurance and offers a facilitating clarity. In addition, a software offers possibilities for evaluation and helps to create RPN ranking lists. An FMEA software is the perfect alternative to the classical spreadsheet. The user can already find his way around the system with little basic knowledge.
FMEA Training
Why is it so important that those responsible complete FMEA training in order to apply FMEA correctly in accordance with the new VDA/AIAG Alignment? In an FMEA training course, they learn in just a few days about the "Failure Mode and Effects Analysis" as an instrument for error minimization. An FMEA training course familiarizes the participants with the basics of FMEA. It shows in a practical way how the participants can systematically identify and evaluate possible risks in advance.
Often the current changes and developments are still forgotten or old and new changes are confused. In an FMEA training course, the participants learn about the current changes and developments so that they are always up to date with the FMEA VDA/AIAG.
With the knowledge acquired in an FMEA training course, participants can then carry out and evaluate an analysis according to FMEA VDA/AIAG standard in their company. In the FMEA training, an experienced trainer shows the participants in group work how to approach a successful analysis based on FMEA VDA/AIAG.
With FMEA training to success
An FMEA training is suitable for companies for quality assurance and thus for cost savings. It should be refreshed regularly, especially with regard to the innovations resulting from harmonisation. An understanding between the VDA and AIAG has been made possible not least by the FMEA VDA/AIAG, so it is all the more important for companies to adapt to the innovations in order to keep up to date. FMEA training courses provide companies with the security of always acting in accordance with the FMEA VDA/AIAG standard.