This analytical method was developed to analyse the reliability of complex development and design systems in the field of space research and nuclear energy.

It was first applied by the American company NASA in the Apollo project. In the 1980s, it began to be used in the automotive industry.

The FMEA is used to investigate and evaluate product / process failures, identify their possible / potential causes and define ways to identify and eliminate the risk by taking appropriate action.

Minimizes the causes of errors before the consequences of errors are felt by the customer (internal or external).

Today, its use is promoted of almost all car manufacturers.

In cooperation with the international organizations AIAG & VDA, a new harmonized FMEA entered into force in 2019. Mandatory applies to all suppliers to the automotive industry.

The “original-old” structure of the FMEA is still accepted outside the automotive industry. The method can be very practically applied in other industries in order to identify and subsequently eliminate risks in processes (e.g., HACCP – “Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points” – Good Manufacturing Practice – as a food standard is derived a variant of FMEA).