Get More From Your Process FMEAs

When Should You Perform A PFMEA?

PFMEAs should be conducted on all new processes.

 PFMEAs should be conducted throughout the process design cycle beginning in the preliminary design stage.
 Revise the PFMEA in the pilot process stage, revise again in the final design stage, and finalize the PFMEA in the as-built stage.

Whenever a change is to be made to a process to an existing processes.

 Use the Pareto Principle to decide which processes to work on first. Using data from customer returns, scrap and rework reports, etc. determine which process needs the greatest and immediate attention.

 Make your FMEA a living document by adding to it and updating it whenever new information about the design or process develops.

FMEAs should be updated when:

	Product or process improvements are made.
	New failure modes are identified.
	New data regarding effects are obtained.
	Root causes are determined.

Always be sure you link FMEAs to Control Plans, if being used.