AIAG & VDA FMEA: training and implementation guidance

Why was the joint AIAG & VDA FMEA Handbook developed?

The AIAG & VDA FMEA Handbook addresses Failure Mode and Effects Analysis. It was jointly developed and published by VDA QMC in Germany and AIAG in the United States.

Previously, automotive suppliers serving original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and other manufacturers faced different FMEA expectations. Severity, Occurrence and Detection rating tables were set out in separate AIAG and VDA manuals. Differences between these approaches created confusion and complicated suppliers' product-development and improvement activities.

A common handbook was therefore needed to guide FMEA development. It allows suppliers to establish a consistent process, supported by appropriate methods and tools, for robust, accurate and complete FMEAs that address their customers' needs and expectations.

Main changes in the AIAG & VDA FMEA approach

• A revised methodology for FMEA development and communication of results
• Revised Severity, Occurrence and Detection rating criteria
• Action Priority (AP) tables in place of RPN-based action prioritisation
• Links between cost of quality (COQ) and FMEA
• Supplemental FMEA for Monitoring and System Response (FMEA-MSR)

The seven steps of AIAG & VDA FMEA

• Planning and preparation
• Structure analysis
• Function analysis
• Failure analysis
• Risk analysis
• Optimisation
• Results documentation

FMEA form

The following example illustrates an FMEA form for use with the AIAG & VDA approach.

Examples from ITVC's AIAG & VDA FMEA training projects

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