People regularly ask about the benefits of using a database-driven software solution (as opposed to a desktop system like FMEA-Pro) for Failure Mode & Effects Analysis [FMEA] risk management, and about the powerful features in the Aras Quality Planning solution for FMEAs that are not available in any other package.

The Aras Quality Planning solution with FMEAs is the direct result of collaborative development with Delphi. Delphi’s progressive approach to risk management is an extension of the basic FMEA methodology to include these key features:

FMEA Libraries – Online libraries provide a knowledge base of previous findings and lessons learned from field failures, previous designs, reliability testing results, and customer complaints. Failure modes, effects, causes, and preventative measures, as well as, standard criteria descriptions for Severity, Occurrence, and Probability to Detect are all collected in a single location and organized by product family. When a FMEA is being done for a new product or a redesign, previous related items are preloaded for faster more comprehensive completion and consistent categories enable better analysis.

FMEA, Process Flow Diagram, Control Plan Association – Unlike desktop applications and spreadsheets all three quality planning documents are inherently associated in the Aras solution. So, when a line item is added to one of the documents it is automatically added to the others as well ensuring that these important documents always remain synchronized. The business benefits include more consist compliance and better risk mitigation.

FMEA Action Items – As opposed to a system that one person uses alone, the Aras FMEAs are based on an enterprise system that enables team collaboration and visibility, and includes Action Items for closed-loop risk management. As priority areas of Risk are identified [high RPN] actions with deadline dates are assigned to specific people. An email alert notifies the responsible person and the related activities are recorded in the Aras solution to ensure that the risk has been mitigated.

Ease of Use – Intuitive screens and superior usability make the Aras FMEAs easier to use than any other system on the market.

These key features along with many more provide a robust risk management approach unlike any other system available, and of course the same Aras solutions developed with Delphi are available for download and use at no charge.