What is the primary purpose of a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)?

The primary purpose of a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is to analyze potential risks and improve systems. FMEA is a systematic approach used to identify possible failure modes within a process or product and assess the potential effects of those failures on the overall operation and safety. By identifying these risks early on, organizations can prioritize their responses and implement corrective actions to prevent failures, enhance reliability, and ensure the quality of processes or products.

This proactive assessment allows teams to focus on areas that could lead to serious consequences if not addressed. It emphasizes understanding and mitigating risks rather than merely reacting to problems after they arise, which is crucial in maintaining effective management in laboratory settings and other industries.

In this context, while identifying the causes of errors or evaluating employee performance may be important in their respective areas, they are not the primary focus of an FMEA. Determining costs associated with errors could also be relevant, but it is secondary to the core objective of risk analysis and system improvement.