Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) initially identifies process functions, failure modes and their effects on the process.
Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis looks at each process step to identify risks and possible errors from many different sources. The sources most often considered are known as the six M’s:
- Man
- Methods
- Material
- Machinery
- Measurement
- Mother Earth (Environment)
PFMEA is a qualitative tool, a living document, that zooms into current processes to identify improvement points. A PFMEA is most useful as a tool to break down maintenance process into its individual steps and methodically examine them for potential risks or failures.
Today, PFMEA is used in several different ways, including:
- During the execution of the process for quality control measures
- Before control plans are developed for a new or modified process
- When there’s a new way of implementing an existing process
- When an existing process is slated for improvements
- When relocating a process to a new facility
The PFMEA seems to be particularly effective when there is a new technology or new process introduced or there is a current process with modifications, which may include changes due to updated processes, continuous improvement, Kaizen or Cost of Quality (COQ).
Organizations also use PFMEA when there is a current process exposed to a new environment or change in location (no physical change made to process).
Experts in this area recommend that a PFMEA is especially important under certain circumstances, such as:
- Relocation of a process to a new facility
- Modification to an existing process
- Introduction of new technology, equipment, or process steps to production
Want to learn more? Tonex offers PFMEA Training, a 2-day course that covers the theory, logic, and techniques behind the process failure mode and effect analysis procedure. Participants learn what each PFMEA variable means and how they are measured.
The course helps you learn a general template for this procedure, while also teach you how to tailor it based on your product/process specifications.
For more information, questions, comments, contact us.