Failure Mode and Effects Analysis — Fault Tree Analysis

The purpose of failure mode and effects analysis is to identify the different failures and modes of failures that can occur at the component, subsystem, and systems level and to evaluate the direct and consequential effects of these failures. It involves a formal analysis to determine the effect of subsystem, component, or part failure on system performance or the ability to meet performance requirements or objectives. Such an analysis is usually performed upstream during the conceptual or development phases of a system, to assure that all possible modes of failure have been considered and that the proper design and/or operating provisions have been incorporated to eliminate the potential or cause for the failure or that the magnitude and effect of the failure mode have been reduced to an acceptable level.