Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a preventive action methodology used to identify and mitigate potential failures before they occur.
* Appraisal:
* Involves measuring and evaluating products to ensure they meet quality standards (e.g., inspection and testing).
* Prevention:
* Involves activities designed to prevent defects from occurring.
* FMEA falls under prevention as it proactively identifies potential failure modes and implements measures to mitigate them.
* Control:
* Involves monitoring processes to maintain quality, but does not directly relate to preventive analysis like FMEA.
* Inspection:
* Involves examining products or components to ensure they meet specifications, not preventive by nature.
References: Quality management and cost of quality frameworks.