1. Introduction

FMEA and FMECA are so well known and used that they have practically become the symbol of operational safety. As FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) is included in FMECA (Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis), in this text we will generally refer to it as FMEA or FMEA(C). This approach is indeed widely used and very useful in any approach to risk. However, we must not confuse "risk analysis" with FMEA(C), or believe that every risk analysis requires an FMEA(C).

Our aim is not to minimize the contributions of this method to operational safety - quite the opposite, in fact - but it does need to be given its rightful place. While most methods deserve a certain amount of promotion, given their potential to contribute more than is usually the case, FMEA(C) on the other hand enjoys such an extraordinary reputation that some industrial leaders, wishing to...