What is 'failure mode and effects analysis' (FMEA)?

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a systematic, proactive method used to identify potential failure modes in a product, process, or system and analyze their effects on outcomes. It focuses on early identification of weaknesses before they can lead to failure, allowing teams to assess risk and prioritize actions based on the severity, occurrence, and detectability of these failures.

By implementing FMEA, organizations can improve their processes and quality management systems by addressing these failure modes and incorporating preventive measures. This contributes significantly to risk management strategies and enhances the reliability of products and processes.

The other options describe methodologies unrelated to FMEA. While increasing production speed and efficiency is valuable, it does not encompass the analytical and preventive nature of FMEA. Training employees in quality management practices is essential, but it involves separate tools and techniques that do not specifically detail the FMEA process. Lastly, developing marketing strategies, while important, does not align with the goal of FMEA, which is focused on quality and operational reliability. Thus, only the first option accurately describes FMEA’s purpose and application.