Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, or FMEA, is a structured method for identifying how an asset or process may fail, the effects of each failure, existing controls, and actions needed to reduce risk.
What this term means in maintenance
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, or FMEA, is a structured method for identifying how an asset or process may fail, the effects of each failure, existing controls, and actions needed to reduce risk.
What FMEA examines
An FMEA commonly records:
- Required function
- Potential failure mode
- Effect of failure
- Potential cause
- Existing prevention controls
- Existing detection controls
- Severity
- Occurrence
- Detection
- Recommended action
- Responsible person and target date
How maintenance teams use FMEA
Maintenance and reliability teams use FMEA to develop:
- Preventive-maintenance tasks
- Inspection points
- Condition-monitoring requirements
- Spare-parts strategies
- Alarm and interlock requirements
- Design improvements
- Failure-response plans
Practical example
For a lubrication system, one failure mode may be low oil flow. Effects may include overheating and bearing damage. Causes may include a blocked filter, failed pump, low oil level, or incorrect valve position. Controls can then be evaluated for each cause.
Risk scoring
Some organizations calculate a risk priority number by multiplying severity, occurrence, and detection scores. The score can support prioritization, but it should not replace engineering judgment or clear attention to high-severity consequences.
Common mistake
An FMEA becomes ineffective when it is created only for audit evidence and is never used to improve maintenance plans, operating controls, or equipment design.
Related concepts
Related maintenance terms
Keep exploring connected CMMS, reliability, and maintenance planning terms.
Asset Criticality
Asset criticality is a structured assessment of how strongly an asset failure could affect safety, environment, quality, production, compliance, cost, and recovery.
Root Cause Analysis
Root cause analysis is a structured investigation used to identify the underlying conditions that allowed a failure or problem to occur and determine actions that reduce recurrence.
Fault Tree Analysis
Fault tree analysis is a deductive method that starts with an unwanted event and maps the combinations of equipment, process, control, or human failures that could cause it.
Glossary FAQs
- What does FMEA stand for?
FMEA stands for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis.
- How is a failure mode used in FMEA?
A failure mode describes how an asset, component, or process may fail to perform its required function.
- Is a risk priority number mandatory in FMEA?
No. Some organizations use it, but clear severity assessment and effective risk-reduction actions are more important than one calculated score.