Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) Practice Exam

What does the RPN (risk priority number) represent?

1. The sum of all risks in a process

2. The average risk value for a task

3. The product of severity, occurrence, and detection

4. The highest risk identified during analysis

The correct answer is: The product of severity, occurrence, and detection

The Risk Priority Number (RPN) is a key component in failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), which is used to evaluate and prioritize risks associated with potential failures in a process. The RPN is calculated by taking the product of three factors: severity (the seriousness of the effect of a failure), occurrence (the likelihood of the failure happening), and detection (the ability to uncover the failure before it causes harm). By using the RPN, organizations can effectively prioritize risks based on how severe a potential failure could be, how often it is likely to occur, and how easily it can be detected. This allows teams to focus resources on addressing the most critical issues first, thereby enhancing overall safety and reliability in operations. The other choices do not accurately define the RPN: it does not represent the sum or the average risk value, nor does it refer to the highest risk identified, but rather to a calculated number that incorporates multiple dimensions of risk analysis.