A case study on FMEA-based improvement for managing new product development risk
International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management
ISSN: 0265-671X
Article publication date: 12 October 2020
Issue publication date: 6 April 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the applicability of the failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) as an effective tool for decreasing failure risk in the early phase of the new product development (NPD), which adds to existing literature on the application of FMEA in NPD.
Design/methodology/approach
Through the application of action research (AR) methodology, it was possible to develop a case study examining the use of FMEA to decrease NPD risk in an early phase of NPD execution.
Findings
The importance and immediate gains of identifying NPD failures support FMEA's usefulness for NPD risk decrease. Moreover, its user-friendliness, timeliness and cost advantages facilitate the introduction of FMEA in the early phase of NPD execution.
Originality/value
FMEA is a well-known method used in manufacturing companies to identify and correct failures in products, processes and systems. This article explores the lack of practice-oriented evidence on the use of FMEA in the early phase of NPD execution and provides support to its applicability and effectiveness.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research is sponsored by FEDER funds through the program COMPETE – Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade – and by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia –, under the project UIDB/00285/2020.
Citation
Moreira, A.C., Ferreira, L.M.D.F. and Silva, P. (2021), "A case study on FMEA-based improvement for managing new product development risk", International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 38 No. 5, pp. 1130-1148. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-06-2020-0201
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited