During FMEA, how should risks be prioritized?

Prioritizing risks during Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is crucial for effective risk management and focuses on identifying and addressing the most significant risks in a proactive manner. The approach taken in prioritization involves evaluating three key factors: severity, occurrence, and detection.

Severity refers to the impact that a failure mode would have on the system or process. Occurrence is the likelihood that the failure mode will occur, while detection assesses the ability to identify the failure before it reaches the customer. By combining these three aspects, teams can calculate a Risk Priority Number (RPN), which provides a quantifiable metric to prioritize risks effectively.

This triage method allows teams to focus on the most critical issues that could have the greatest negative impact if not addressed, ensuring that resources are allocated appropriately to mitigate those risks. In contrast, prioritizing risks based on potential financial loss, team member seniority, or a simple majority vote lacks a structured approach and does not consider the nuances of risk analysis. Using severity, occurrence, and detection ensures that risks are managed systematically, leading to improved quality and safety outcomes.