failure mode effect and criticality analysis FMECA

failure mode effect and criticality analysis (FMECA or FMEA)

the detailed study of a product design, manufacturing operation or distribution network to determine how it may fail and to offer options for the reduction in failure rate.

Collins Dictionary of Business, 3rd ed. © 2002, 2005 C Pass, B Lowes, A Pendleton, L Chadwick, D O’Reilly and M Afferson