Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA)

In any process, the FMEA reviews the following; steps taken, failure modes, causes of failures and the effects of failures (IHI, 2017). According to Ombu (n.d.), RPN is an approach used to calculate RPN. The Risk Priority Number (RPN) uses the values of severity, probability and detectability (ASQ, 2017). Planning a reunion for classmates who last saw each other five years ago is problematic to the facilitator, group and every person involved. John is selected to make enquires on the specific plans for the weekend reunion event. This creates the first FMEA, as the former classmates are to travel without knowing what they are expected to do. The severity of this issue bringing failure is 8, while its probability of occurring is 7 and detection of 2. The risk priority number (RPN) of this issue is S*P*D which is equivalent to 8*7*2 =112 RPN.

The second FMEA issue is financial issue. After school, people engage in to different cadres of life where they earn unequal wages with some being jobless. Asking for a reunion with travel and accommodation fee from personal accounts will be a great issue. Its severity is 10, occurrence probability of 9 and detection of 1. The RPN of this issue would thus be 10*9*1= 90. Another issue is the distance between Liverpool University and where these former students are reuniting. Some may fail due to the distance they are to travel for a reunion weekend. The severity of the issue is 7, its occurrence is 6 and its detectability is 2, giving a RPN of 7*6*2 = 84.

The other issue is availability of the students. Every person already has responsibilities in their life which may deny them the chance to be with their former classmates. The RPN on this issue can be represented using a severity of 7, occurrence of 7 and detectability of 3 resulting to 7*7*3= 147. Time can be another issue due to the location of the students. They are living in areas with different time zones. This may affect their punctuality. Its severity would be 4, with an occurrence of 2 and a detectability of 7, giving a RPN of 56.

Punctuality is another issue in this reunion. This will occur due to the distance between the members and the university. The time scheduled is 2.00pm but this may be affected by the distance and means of transport used. The severity of the issue is 8, occurrence of 9 and detection of 2. This is equal to a RPN of 144 from 8*9*2. Another probable issue is status of the group. Many cliques may have formed during school days and others have a social class due to their pocket weight. This might make others to be inferior and uncomfortable. The severity of the issue would be a 9, an occurrence of 8 and detectability of 1, giving a RPN of 72.

The other issue that can occur is lack of a common activity goal for the reunion. Some may later feel like they wasted their time for unworthy task. Its RPN would be severity of 4, occurrence of 4 and detection of 6 which is equal to 96. Securing accommodation will be a problem to many as they are living in different countries. Its severity is 9, occurrence 8 and detection 3 giving a RPN of 216. John the chosen member of making the enquiry of activities may fail the members. The severity of this is 7, occurrence of 2 and detection of 5, which equals to a RPN of 7*2*5 (70).

The four activities with highest RPN are; availability of the members, accommodation, punctuality and lack of specific plans before travel. On the issue of accommodation, the members in Liverpool should identify a hotel where the others should find reserved rooms to reduce the worry of space area. Punctuality is another issue which can be dealt by having the members from far areas to arrive a day earlier. John should have the specific plans on time which should be communicated to others earlier to range their expectation. Lastly, is the member availability issue, this can be remedied if members knows exactly what the goal and plans are so as to weigh their options. The new RPNs are:

Accommodation S=2, P=2, D=8 giving a RPN of 2*2*8=32

Punctuality S=4, P=3 and D=9 giving a RPN of 4*3*9=108

Specific plans S=1, P=3 and D=9 giving a RPN of1*3*9=27

Members availability- S=6, P=5 and D= 3 giving a RPN of 6*5*3=90

References

ASQ,. (2017). Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA). American Society For Qualities. Retrieved from http://asq.org/learn-about-quality/process-analysis-tools/overview/fmea.html

IHI,. (2017). Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Tool. Institute Of Healthcare Improvement.

Ombu,. Understanding Risk Priority Numbers. The Operation Excellence Company. Retrieved from http://www.ombuenterprises.com/LibraryPDFs/Understanding_Risk_Priority_Numbers.pdf