This document introduces the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) tool for identifying and addressing potential issues in simple personal processes. It provides a 6-step method: 1) list what could go wrong, 2) rate impact, 3) rate likelihood, 4) rate detectability, 5) calculate a risk priority number, and 6) address top issues. An example applies the tool to the process of going out to dinner, identifying "not having cash" as the highest risk issue requiring a fix. Templates are provided to guide FMEA analyses of other simple goals or processes.

1. Back of the Napkin
FMEA
a way to address
simple issues

2. Created 2012
by Tom Curtis
Blog: www.onimproving.blogspot.com
Presentations: www.slideshare.net/onimproving
Email: ideamerchants@gmail.com
Twitter: @onimproving

3. Note:
This an adaptation of a
serious business tool.
This tool and deck will
not address all issues
and is not fit for
complex or serious
processes.

4. Terms:
FMEA-Failure Mode and
Effects Analysis
Failure Mode-Something
that can go wrong

5. The FMEA is a tool to
help us identify potential
issues, assess, and address
them. What follows is an
adaptation of this business
tool for simple personal
processes and training.

6. Goal: identify and
address potential issues
in a simple process

7. 6 Steps
1. List what could go wrong
2. Rate how bad would it be
3. Rate how likely is it
4. Rate when you will be able
to tell
5. Calculate a score
6. Address top issues

8. Example:
Going out to
dinner

9. 1. What could go wrong?
Not get a
table
Not have
cash
Not like
the food

10. 1. What could go wrong? 2.How Bad?
5-Really Bad
1-Not Bad
Not get a
3
table
Not have
5
cash
Not like
3
the food

11. 1. What could go wrong? 2.How Bad? 3.How Likely?
5-Really Bad 5-Really Likely
1-Not Bad 1-Not Likely
Not get a
3 1
table
Not have
5 3
cash
Not like
3 1
the food

12. 1. What could go wrong? 2.How Bad? 3.How Likely? 4.Could Tell?
5-Really Bad 5-Really Likely 5-Too Late
1-Not Bad 1-Not Likely 1-Early
Not get a
3 1 1
table
Not have
5 3 5
cash
Not like
3 1 3
the food

13. 1. What could go wrong? 2.How Bad? 3.How Likely? 4.Could Tell? 5.Score
5-Really Bad 5-Really Likely 5-Too Late Higher=Worse
1-Not Bad 1-Not Likely 1-Early
Not get a
3 1 1 3
table
Not have
5 3 5 75
cash
Not like
3 1 3 9
the food

14. 1. What could go wrong? 2.How Bad? 3.How Likely? 4.Could Tell? 5.Score
5-Really Bad 5-Really Likely 5-Too Late Higher=Worse
1-Not Bad 1-Not Likely 1-Early
Not get a
3 1 1 3
table
Not have
5 3 5 75
cash
Not like
3 1 3 9
the food
6. What are we going to fix and how?
Not Have Cash- Will push cash in wallet now

15. 1. What could go wrong? 2.How Bad? 3.How Likely? 4.Could Tell? 5.Score
5-Really Bad 5-Really Likely 5-Too Late Higher=Worse
1-Not Bad 1-Not Likely 1-Early
Not get a
3 1 1 3
table
Not have
5 3 5 75
cash
Not like
3 1 3 9
the food
6. What are we going to fix and how?
Not Have Cash- Will push cash in wallet now

16. Template

17. 1. What could go wrong? 2.How Bad? 3.How Likely? 4.Could Tell? 5.Score
5-Really Bad 5-Really Likely 5-Too Late Higher=Worse
1-Not Bad 1-Not Likely 1-Early
6. What are we going to fix and how?