Automated FMEA Status and Future

If FMEAS are to provide meaningful and useful results, techniques which are both standard and automated must be developed. A survey of current FMEA techniques and automation tools is presented. The feasibility and practicality of developing a standardized, automated FMEA technique is addressed. The framework for a computerized technique, based upon matrix FMEA and consistent with the guidance provided in MIL-STD-1629A, is discussed. The technique provides: a functional top-down FMEA during early development phases; a top down and bottom-up approach when equipment/system hardware elements and their configuration have been defined; and information which can be used for maintainability, testability, and logistics studies. The paper addresses the specifics of this procedure and its application.