(FMEA) Failure Mode & Effects Analysis

AIAG & VDA FMEA Handbook

Now Accepted by GM, Ford, Stellantis, Honda NA, BMW, Volkswagen Group, Daimler/Mercedes, and Daimler Truck!

FMEA is a general approach used across various domains, PFMEA (Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) is specific to manufacturing processes, and DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) focuses on the design phase of product development. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) FMEA is an analytical methodology used to ensure that potential problems have been considered and addressed throughout the product and process development process. Part of the evaluation and analysis is the assessment of risk. The important point is that a discussion is conducted regarding the design (product or process), review of the functions and any changes in application, and the resulting risk of potential failure.

Developed with a global team of automotive OEM and Tier 1 supplier subject matter experts, the new AIAG & VDA FMEA Handbook incorporates best practices from both AIAG and VDA methodologies into a harmonized, structured approach.

In addition to making it easier for suppliers to meet their customers’ needs during the FMEA development process, the handbook features major changes such as a new process for FMEA development – the 7-Step Approach – and a new chapter on Supplemental FMEA for Monitoring and System Response (FMEA-MSR). Additional important changes include the following:

  • Totally revised Severity, Occurrence and Detection Tables.
  • The Action Priority (AP) methodology and Tables to replace RPN.
  • New Form Sheets (spreadsheet users) and Software Report Views (software users).
  • Change point highlights from both the AIAG 4th edition FMEA Manual and the VDA Volume 4 FMEA Manual.

From the increased focus on function-based FMEAs to the additional tools and guidance provided to support a more robust methodology, the new handbook provides consistent direction and guidance to all automotive suppliers. Get your copy today!

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Developed with a global team of automotive OEM and Tier 1 supplier subject matter experts, it incorporates best practices from both AIAG and VDA methodologies into a harmonized, structured approach.

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These courses will assist you in transitioning from the AIAG FMEA 4th Edition to the AIAG & VDA FMEA Handbook. Open-enrollment, instructor-led training will be held at AIAG training facilities, but you can also schedule onsite training at your organization.

This eLearning course provides participants with a clear understanding of the major changes in the FMEA process and toolset that are described in the AIAG & VDA FMEA Handbook.


AIAG & VDA Process FMEA: Understanding and Implementing with Control Plans

This course is intended for those newer to FMEA methodology.

Be able to execute a PFMEA applying the 7-Step Approach, evaluate the consistency in PFMEA application, measure the effectiveness and efficiency of PFMEA within your organization with linkage to the Cost of Poor Quality (CoPQ), and develop an implementation plan for your organization to adopt the AIAG & VDA FMEA.


AIAG & VDA Design FMEA: Understanding and Implementing

This course is intended for those newer to FMEA methodology.

Applying the 7-Step Approach, evaluate the consistency of DFMEA applications, measure the effectiveness and efficiency of DFMEA within your organization, and develop an action plan for your organization to adopt the AIAG & VDA FMEA.


This 1-day seminar will walk through the fundamentals of Reverse FMEA, giving you a sound foundation for what the methodology is, and demystify the Reverse FMEA process by showing you that many of the things included in the Reverse FMEA are already being performed inside your organization, it is just a matter of clearly identifying what the methodology is asking you to do.

Achieve Certification

Certification in the AIAG & VDA Handbook PFMEA methodology highlights an individual’s PFMEA proficiency. This certification exam is tailored for PFMEA practitioners and does not contain either DFMEA specific content or content from AIAG’s FMEA 4th Edition.

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This e-learning course is designed to establish the use of FMEAs and to help you learn the skills needed to practice risk reduction and defect prevention.


This course will teach you the skills to understand and use FMEAs and the concept of risk reduction and defect prevention.

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As an industry-wide standard, this reference manual clarifies questions concerning the technical development of both Design and Process FMEAs.


This manual supports the machinery (the term machinery as used in this manual applies to tooling and equipment also) design process from design development through design approval.


The DRBFM Reference Guide is intended to provide information and examples of procedures to implement DRBFM proficiency expectations at all levels of engineering and management.

Achieve Certification

Certification by AIAG in FMEA confirms an individual's proficiency in failure mode and effects analysis techniques as defined in the FMEA reference manual.

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