A detailed workflow for conducting a thorough failure analysis, from identifying the issue, data gathering, hypothesis development, testing, to report finalization.
1
Identify the failed component or system
2
Document the circumstances of failure
3
Physically inspect the failed component or system
4
Photograph the failed component or system
5
Conduct interviews with personnel involved
6
Gather use history and service records of the failed component or system
7
Analyze gathered data
8
Establish the operational context during the failure
9
Approval: Data Evaluation
10
Determine the root cause of the failure
11
Develop a hypothesis on failure mechanism
12
Conduct further testing if necessary
13
Evaluate hypothesis with test results or additional data
14
Prepare a draft report of findings
15
Approval: Draft Report
16
Review Corrective action plans
17
Approval: Corrective Action Plans
18
Finalize the failure analysis report
19
Distribute the report to relevant parties
20
Organize a post-report meeting with relevant parties
Identify the failed component or system
In this task, you will identify the specific component or system that has failed. This is an important step as it sets the foundation for the rest of the failure analysis process. The information gathered here will help determine the scope of the analysis and guide subsequent tasks. Consider the impact of the failure on the overall system and any potential safety risks. What are the initial symptoms or signs of failure? Are there any error messages or error codes? Are there any visual indications of failure?
Document the circumstances of failure
Here, you will document the circumstances surrounding the failure. This includes gathering information about when and where the failure occurred, any events or activities leading up to the failure, and any relevant environmental conditions. Consider the time, date, and location of the failure. Have there been any recent changes or modifications to the system? Were there any extreme temperature or humidity conditions? Were there any power surges or voltage fluctuations?
Physically inspect the failed component or system
In this task, you will physically inspect the failed component or system to gather more information about the failure. Carefully examine the failed component or system, looking for any visible signs of damage, wear, or malfunction. Consider conducting basic diagnostic tests to gather additional information. What are the visual indications of the failure? Are there any physical damages or deformations? Are there any loose or disconnected connections? Are there any unusual odors or sounds?
Photograph the failed component or system
In this task, you will capture photographs of the failed component or system. These photographs will serve as visual documentation and can aid in the analysis process. Take clear and detailed photographs from multiple angles, ensuring that all relevant features and damages are captured. Provide a clear and concise description for each photograph. What are the relevant features and damages?
Conduct interviews with personnel involved
In this task, you will conduct interviews with personnel who were involved in or have knowledge of the failure. These interviews can provide valuable insights and information about the failure. Prepare a list of questions to guide the interviews. Consider the roles and responsibilities of the personnel involved. What are their observations or experiences related to the failure? Are there any known issues or concerns with the component or system?
Gather use history and service records of the failed component or system
In this task, you will gather the use history and service records of the failed component or system. This information can provide important context and help identify any patterns or recurring issues. Access relevant documentation, such as maintenance logs, repair records, and usage history reports. Consider the lifespan and usage patterns of the component or system. Are there any previous incidents or failures? Have there been any repairs or maintenance performed?
Analyze gathered data
In this task, you will analyze the data gathered from previous tasks to identify any patterns or potential causes of the failure. Evaluate the information collected, looking for commonalities, trends, or anomalies. Consider using analytical techniques or tools to aid in the analysis process. What are the key findings or observations from the data analysis? Are there any recurring patterns or issues?
Establish the operational context during the failure
Here, you will establish the operational context of the component or system during the failure. This involves understanding the operating conditions, parameters, and constraints that were in effect at the time of failure. Consider factors such as temperature, pressure, load, speed, and environmental conditions. Were there any deviations from normal operating conditions? Were there any external factors or influences?
Approval: Data Evaluation
Will be submitted for approval:
Analyze gathered data
Will be submitted
Establish the operational context during the failure
Will be submitted
Determine the root cause of the failure
In this task, you will determine the root cause of the failure. This is a critical step as it allows for the development of effective corrective actions. Consider all the information gathered so far, including the physical inspection, interviews, data analysis, and operational context. What is the underlying reason or source of the failure? Are there any contributing factors?
Develop a hypothesis on failure mechanism
Here, you will develop a hypothesis on the failure mechanism. This involves proposing a plausible explanation or theory for how the failure occurred. Consider the technical aspects, design considerations, and material properties of the component or system. What is the likely mode or mechanism of failure? Are there any specific failure theories or models that apply to the situation?
Conduct further testing if necessary
If further testing is necessary to validate or refine the hypothesis, this task is where it will take place. Design a test plan or procedure that will provide the required information. Consider the specific tests or experiments needed, the equipment or facilities required, and any safety precautions. Is there a need for destructive or non-destructive testing? Are there any limitations or constraints for the testing?
1
Destructive
2
Non-destructive
3
Simulation
Evaluate hypothesis with test results or additional data
In this task, you will evaluate the hypothesis developed earlier using the test results or additional data gathered. Analyze the results and compare them to the expected outcomes or predicted behavior. Consider any deviations or discrepancies between the hypothesis and the test results. What are the implications of the test results on the initial hypothesis? Are there any new insights or findings?
Prepare a draft report of findings
Here, you will prepare a draft report of the failure analysis findings. This report will document the investigative process, key findings, root cause analysis, and any recommendations for corrective actions. Consider the target audience for the report and the level of detail required. What are the main sections or components of the report? Are there any specific formatting or presentation requirements?
Approval: Draft Report
Will be submitted for approval:
Prepare a draft report of findings
Will be submitted
Review Corrective action plans
In this task, you will review the proposed corrective action plans based on the findings of the failure analysis. Evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of each plan, considering factors such as cost, time, resources, and impact on system performance. What are the proposed corrective actions? Are there any risks or considerations associated with each plan?
1
Feasible
2
Not feasible
3
Requires further evaluation
Approval: Corrective Action Plans
Will be submitted for approval:
Review Corrective action plans
Will be submitted
Finalize the failure analysis report
Here, you will finalize the failure analysis report by incorporating any feedback or revisions. Ensure that all required sections and content are included and that the report is clear, concise, and well-structured. Consider the level of detail, language, and visual presentation. Are there any specific formatting or style guidelines to follow?
Distribute the report to relevant parties
In this task, you will distribute the failure analysis report to the relevant parties. Identify the stakeholders or individuals who need to receive the report. Consider the appropriate delivery method, such as email, physical copies, or online document sharing platforms. What is the distribution plan? Are there any confidentiality or security considerations?
Organize a post-report meeting with relevant parties
In this final task, you will organize a meeting with the relevant parties to discuss the findings and recommendations of the failure analysis report. Determine the meeting agenda and objectives. Consider the availability and roles of the participants. What are the key discussion points? Are there any action items or follow-up tasks?