FMEA or Failure Mode and Effects Analysis is a structured way to identify and address potential problems, or failures and their resulting effects on the system or safety process before an adverse event occurs. Root cause analysis (RCA) is on the other hand a structured way to address problems after they occur. FMEA involves identifying and eliminating process failures for the purpose of preventing an undesirable event.
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is an essential part of any software, system component, process, product design or redesign activity. FMEA is a proactive, quantitative, qualitative, step-by-step approach to identify and analyze potential points of failure in any component, system, process, product or service. This team-based activity can improve system design and process performance. It can also reduce manufacturing issues at the component, system, products and processing level.
