Volume 6, Issue 1

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This list of ten quality objectives for Design FMEAs is provided in Appendix A of the SAE J1739 guideline for Design, Process and Machinery FMEA, which is available for purchase from the Society of Automotive Engineers (http://www.sae.org). A similar list of quality objectives for Process FMEAs is provided in that document’s Appendix B.

1. DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS
The FMEA drives Design Improvements as the primary objective.

2. HIGH RISK FAILURE MODES
The FMEA addresses all high risk Failure Modes, as identified by the FMEA team, with executable Action Plans. All other failure modes are considered.

3. DVP&R PLANS
The Design Verification Plan and Report (DVD&R) considers the failure modes from the Design FMEA.

4. INTERFACES
The FMEA scope includes integration and interface failure modes in both block diagram and analysis.

5. LESSONS LEARNED
The FMEA considers all major "lessons learned" (such as high warranty, campaigns, etc.) as input to failure mode identification.

6. SPECIAL OR KEY CHARACTERISTICS
The FMEA identifies appropriate Key Characteristics candidates, as input to the Key Characteristics selection process, if applicable due to company policy.

7. TIMING
The FMEA is completed during the "Window of opportunity" where it could most efficiently impact the product design.

8. TEAM
The right people participate as part of the FMEA team throughout the analysis, and are adequately trained in the procedure. As appropriate, a facilitator should be utilized.

9. DOCUMENTATION
The FMEA document is completely filled out "by the book," including "Action Taken" and new RPN values.

10. TIME USAGE
Time spent by the FMEA team, as early as possible, is an effective and efficient use of time, with a value-added result. This assumes Recommended Actions are identified as required and the actions are implemented.