Hello All,

 

Is Current RPN and New RPN are same ? It not, How Current RPN is different from New RPN ? . If New RPN is identified for a risk event for the first time, Before the recommended action or mitigation plan is implemented, how the number ( S, O, D ) change without the implementation ?

 

Regards,

Senthilnathan G

Hi Senthilnathan, 

Good question there.

The new RPN is used in an FMEA format to indicate the improved value after implementing a recommendation. The best way of using it is not as a "projected value" based on guidance but as a "realized value" after implementation.

The point of discussion often with a recommendation is whether the Occurrence ranking will change or the Detection will improve. Severity ranking does not change in Process FMEA. There are scenarios where both simultaneously be enhanced. The Severity ranking is unlikely to change during Process FMEA but can change during Design FMEA.

FMEA is a risk assessment and mitigation tool. Current RPN is the risk assessment component. New RPN (after the implementation of the recommended actions) is the risk mitigation component. 

Recommended actions primarily improve the Occurrence and Detection rankings.

However, there is one scenario where the current RPN can change even without any recommended action - with passage of time, the Occurrence rank might change. The other rankings do not change in such a scenario.