Important systems engineering analysis tools : failure mode and effects analysis and hazard analysis

The goal of every program or project manager is to have a safe reliable product and to have an understanding of the residual risk of operating that product. Two very important systems engineering analysis tools to achieve those objectives are Hazard Analysis and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis. Sometimes seen strictly as Safety and Reliability tasks, these analyses are key to a successful program or project and require input from all stakeholders. When viewed in the Systems Engineering process, Safety and Reliability are truly specialty disciplines within Systems Engineering. Hazard Analysis is used to improve system safety while Failure Modes and Effects Analysis is used to identify ways to increase product reliability; both analyses are required to improve systems design and fully capture the risk for a system or program. Depending on how the analyses are scoped, there could be a perception of overlap and duplication of effort. This paper will present a systems engineering approach to show the need and benefits for performing both types of analyses. Both analysis processes are required to ensure that all possible hazardous conditions and failure modes have been identified and addressed to minimize overall risk to the program/project and to ensure a safe and reliable system.