Skip to content
Skip to the tool
  1. 1Stage 1
  2. 2Stage 2
  3. 3Stage 3
← All tools

Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA)

Problem solvingRoot cause

Reference model

FMEA ProcessA canvas of 10 boxes laid out on a grid of 3 columns and 4 rows: Identify Failure Modes, Assess Effects, Assign Severity Rating, Determine Causes, Assign Occurrence Rating, Assign Detection Rating, Calculate Risk Priority Number (RPN), Prioritize Actions, Implement Actions, Review and Update.Identify Failure ModesList potential failure modes forthe process or product.Assess EffectsDetermine the effects of eachfailure mode on the process orproduct.Assign Severity RatingRate the severity of each effecton a scale from 1 to 10.Determine CausesIdentify the root causes of eachfailure mode.Assign Occurrence RatingRate the likelihood of each causeoccurring on a scale from 1 to10.Assign Detection RatingRate the ability to detect thefailure mode before it occurs ona scale from 1 to 10.Calculate Risk PriorityNumber (RPN)Multiply severity, occurrence,and detection ratings toprioritize risks.Prioritize ActionsIdentify actions to mitigate thehighest RPN risks.Implement ActionsTake corrective actions based onprioritization.Review and UpdateRegularly review the FMEA for changes in process or product.

FMEA helps teams prioritize risks based on severity, occurrence, and detection.

About this model

A systematic approach to identifying and evaluating potential failure modes and their effects on a system or process.

Originator not stated.

How to read it

  • Identify failure modes and their effects.
  • Assess the severity, occurrence, and detection ratings for each failure mode.

What this does

Identifies potential failure modes in a process and assesses their impact, allowing teams to prioritize risks and implement corrective actions.

When to use it

Use it when assessing risks in a process or product design to prevent failures before they occur.

Not when: Do not use it when there is insufficient data to identify potential failure modes or when the process is too simple to warrant analysis.

What happens next

Conduct a risk prioritization matrix to focus on the most critical failure modes.

Golden thread

Builds on ←

  • Process mapping
  • Risk assessment

Feeds into →

  • Action plan

Use this tool, free

Sign in to open the worksheet. Your work saves as you type, the AI can draft the parts you have not filled in, and you finish with an analysis and a 30/60/90-day action plan.

Sign inCreate a free account

Drafted with AI and reviewed by Eccellere on 04/11/2026. Guidance, not advice: apply your own judgement.