The Basics of FMEA [Paperback]

Michael R. Beauregard (Author), Robin McDermott (Author), Michael Beauregard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1996

Meeting requirements established by the big-three automakers, this volume introduces work teams to Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA). Mandated by the QS-9000 standard, FMEA positions quality control personnel to identify special causes of variation before they occur, thus preventing failures, defects, and errors, mostly before they are manifested. Recognized as a versatile and effective continuous improvement tool, FMEA serves any industry in which error prevention is vital to profit. The process establishes a systematic method for determining causes and creates a common language for FMEA teams - a method easily transferred to other industries.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robin E. McDermott is director of training at Resource Engineering, a consulting firm that assists companies in the implementation of TQM and CQI techniques. She has 15 years of organizational development experience.

Raymond J. Mikulak is president of Resource Engineering and has over 20 years of experience as a general manager.

Michael R. Beauregard is director of technology at Resource Engineering and has 15 years of experience in engineering and plant management.

Product Details

• Paperback: 76 pages
• Publisher: Productivity Press; 1 edition (1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0527763209
• ISBN-13: 978-0527763206
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,152,979 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Truly Basic, May 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Basics of FMEA (Paperback)

This book is a good primer for the application of FMEA tools. Particularly interesting are the sections on application of the FMEA process to non-manufacturing disciplines such as purchasing and human resources. However, the book is not a thorough enough treatment of the subject to enable an inexperienced person to perform an FMEA. It does serve a purpose to an experienced user, by walking you through the process and providing a structured approach to keep development of the FMEA on track.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent coverage of the essentials, July 9, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Basics of FMEA (Paperback)

Great little book which I, as a Quality Engineer, found useful and which I would be happy to distribute to busy people at all levels of a company knowing there is a good chance it will be read.

This books covers the essentials required to get people started and productive on an FMEA team.

Only complaint is the cost to get it down here in Australia!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Basic, Yet Useful, September 21, 2006

By 

Robert I. Hedges - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Basics of FMEA (Paperback)

This isn't really a textbook on FMEA, it is more akin to a Quick Reference Handbook (QRH). It is tailored for beginners and is fairly general, yet I did find it useful, especially to introduce colleagues to FMEA. The book first explains the basic premises behind FMEA with a bit of history (and the relation of FMEA to ISO 9000 and QS-9000) then outlines the general methodology of FMEA in a no-frills manner.

I thought one of the things the book did best was explaining the derivation of the Risk Priority Number (RPN) and the different issues associated with altering the different components of the RPN (severity, occurrence, and detection) in an effort to mitigate the risk of a certain failure. Likewise I appreciated that the book explained the methodology of applying FMEA to not only physical products, but also processes.

The book is very short (75 pages), and can be read in about half an hour. It is not comprehensive (nor does it claim to be) but it is a good pocket reference, and is a good way to introduce FMEA as a concept.