It is a formalized analytical technique which lists all potential sources of failure and then allocates a weighted point's score according to the expected frequency, the likelihood of being able to detect the failure and the severity of the consequences. It is used to ensure that all manufacturing failure modes have been evaluated. This prioritises design risks with a view to them being eliminated.
Failure mode and effect analysis gives a structured way of assessing possible failures and which areas to investigate first. A major advantage is that it does this at an early stage in both products and processes.
