An integrated process model for root cause failure analysis based on reality charting, FMEA and dematel

Abstract

Root cause failure analysis (RCFA) is a structured process to acknowledge cause and effect relationship of failure or unfavorable events in the organization in order to prevent repetition or reduction of failures. There are various tools for RCFA like interviewing, fault tree analysis (FTA), 5 whys, failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), Pareto analysis and storytelling method with different strengths and weaknesses. In this paper, an integrated process model is developed using Reality Charting, FMEA and DEMATEL to understand and implement RCFA effectively. The proposed process model has eight main steps. The presented model in a case study for the UTD20 engine is implemented and thus, in addition to the use of supporting research in model development, real data as well as the approval of the UTD-20 analysis team members are assisted to validate the proposed model.