Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) Practice Exam

FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) can be applied to which of the following?

1. Only to currently operational assets

2. Only to newly designed systems

3. Any asset, whether in use or not

4. Only to systems that have failed in the past

The correct answer is: Any asset, whether in use or not

FMEA, or Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, is a systematic approach used to identify potential failure modes within a system, analyze the causes and effects of those failures, and prioritize actions to mitigate or eliminate risks. The applicability of FMEA is broad; it can be utilized for any asset, regardless of its operational status. This includes both existing assets that are already in use and assets that are still in the design phase or have not yet been implemented. When applied to currently operational assets, FMEA helps in understanding how those systems can fail and what impacts those failures may have, thereby informing maintenance strategies and improving reliability. Conversely, for newly designed systems, FMEA serves as a proactive tool to foresee potential issues before implementation, allowing for modifications that can enhance performance and safety. By also considering assets that are not in use, organizations can prepare for future deployments or adaptations of existing systems to ensure they are robust and reliable. In essence, the versatility of FMEA enables organizations to analyze and improve the reliability of any asset, whether it is operational, in development, or dormant. This preventive approach is essential for effective maintenance and reliability planning, leading to improved performance and reduced risk of failure.