Usability Challenges of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) within the V-Model

Dan Perreault; Erika E. Gallegos; Vincent P. Paglioni; Thomas H. Bradley

doi:10.65351/hsi24.030

Abstract

For over 70 years, failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) has been used in development and assessment across products, processes, and services worldwide. In particular has been its application for useability and use error analysis. FMEA is considered a mainstay of predictive failure analysis and reliability, prescribed by multiple international standards. However, despite this level of adoption, FMEA encounters consistent and regular criticisms, particularly related to its ease of use and effectiveness. Research on improvement often focus on specific elements rather than on overall usability of the tool for practitioners. At the same time, the V-model has become a common approach for product design in systems engineering. However, the integration of these two popular processes together can be cumbersome and incompatible under their current uses. In this paper, we review current methodology for FMEA against similar V-model standards. We identify systemic challenges in using FMEA within the systems engineering V-model and suggest approaches for addressing these challenges to better serve FMEA users.

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Citation

BibTeX citation:

@inproceedings{perreault2024,
  author = {Perreault, Dan and E. Gallegos, Erika and P. Paglioni,
    Vincent and H. Bradley, Thomas},
  editor = {Masson, Dimitri},
  publisher = {INCOSE},
  title = {Usability {Challenges} of {Failure} {Mode} and {Effects}
    {Analysis} {(FMEA)} Within the {V-Model}},
  booktitle = {Proceedings International Conference on Human Systems
    Integration},
  volume = {3},
  date = {2024-08-29},
  url = {https://hsi-wg.github.io/conferences/HSI2024/proceedings/usability-challenges-of-failure-mode-and-effects-analysis-fmea-within-the-v-model.html},
  doi = {10.65351/hsi24.030},
  langid = {en},
  abstract = {For over 70 years, failure mode and effects analysis
    (FMEA) has been used in development and assessment across products,
    processes, and services worldwide. In particular has been its
    application for useability and use error analysis. FMEA is
    considered a mainstay of predictive failure analysis and
    reliability, prescribed by multiple international standards.
    However, despite this level of adoption, FMEA encounters consistent
    and regular criticisms, particularly related to its ease of use and
    effectiveness. Research on improvement often focus on specific
    elements rather than on overall usability of the tool for
    practitioners. At the same time, the V-model has become a common
    approach for product design in systems engineering. However, the
    integration of these two popular processes together can be
    cumbersome and incompatible under their current uses. In this paper,
    we review current methodology for FMEA against similar V-model
    standards. We identify systemic challenges in using FMEA within the
    systems engineering V-model and suggest approaches for addressing
    these challenges to better serve FMEA users.}
}

For attribution, please cite this work as:

Perreault, Dan, Erika E. Gallegos, Vincent P. Paglioni, and Thomas H. Bradley. 2024. “Usability Challenges of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Within the V-Model.” In Proceedings International Conference on Human Systems Integration, edited by Dimitri Masson. Vol. 3. INCOSE. https://doi.org/10.65351/hsi24.030.