PFMEA step 2 according to AIAG & VDA – structure analysis

PFMEA step 2 structure analysis

The second step in the analysis is to visualize its scope with a structure tree. 

 

In structure analysis, you need to define three levels:

1. Process Item

This is where the name of the manufactured product usually appears, with the option of indicating the process. Sometimes it can also be the name of the system, subsystem, part element.

2. Process Steps

They should be based on a process flow diagram (PF). Process phases can be understood as successive operations / steps whose task is to “create” the product. 

3. Process Work Element

Based on 4M, all “participants” (people, machines, etc.) involved in a given phase of the process are listed, i.e. factors that will become the causes of errors in further analysis. 

This step allows us to prepare for the next stage of working with PFMEA, i.e. the function analysis. 

 

What does this step look like in PQ-FMEA +? 

To go to step two in PQ-FMEA + we have to select the icon with a black structure. 

PQ-FMEA toolbar view

After selecting the black structure, a field with three columns will be displayed: “Process item”, “Process step” and “Process work element“. 

1. We begin our work by defining our “Process item” by double-clicking it so that we can enter its name. 

PQ-FMEA black tree view, process item column

2. The next step will be to create cells with “Process steps”.

We create new cells by dragging a cell from the left column to the next one on the right.  

PQ-FMEA creating cells by dragging

After creating a cell, click on it and define “Process steps“. At this level, we can identify the machine, device, source assigned to this phase that will be enrolled in the control plan. An alternative option is to select the “Take from process work element” option – then all “Working items” marked with a gear symbol will automatically be included in the control plan. 

PQ-FMEA, process phase

3. Then create “work element” for each of the phases.

In the “work element” cell, we can enter the name and select the category of our item. 

PQ-FMEA, process working element