128 Improving reliability and quality for product success
the causes or factors that have led to an undesired loss of functionality.
*
Failure analysis is an iterative and creative process, much like the design
process, but with reversed roles of synthesis and analysis. Creative means
that, in the absence of established, generally prescribed processes, practi-
tioners must be innovative and broad-minded.
As with any other valid approach, the objectives of failure analysis
should be clearly dened.
†
The analysis plan, including the range, proce-
dures, and duration of the analysis, will differ according to its objectives:
clearing failure in new product development, improving a product already
in the market, assigning responsibility for failure ...