Elements of a DFMEA

A DFMEA can contain four main elements in an Analysis: 

• Boundary Diagram(s) can be used to provide a visual representation of a system along with its interfaces to other systems, environmental effects, and customer usage in order to help define the scope of the DFMEA.
• A P-Diagram, or Parameter Diagram, is used to determine and document inputs and intended outputs for the item or process under review, along with unintended outputs (sometimes called error states), noise factors, and control factors. Function details, functional requirements, and non-functional requirements may also be documented. 
• The DFMEA Worksheet is the heart of your analysis, and contains information on all potential failure modes, and their effects, causes, actions, and risk rankings.
• The Design Verification Plan and Report (DVP&R) Worksheet is used to manage and document your tasks associated with verifying that your product meets design requirements.

You may choose to use all of these elements or just use any combination. For example, you may just want to use the DFMEA Worksheet, which is very common. If you choose to start your analysis without all elements, you can easily add in the other elements at any time.

The following topics provide details of the four elements of a DFMEA:

• DFMEA Boundary Diagrams
• DFMEA P-Diagrams
• DFMEA Worksheet
  
• DVP&R: Design Verification Plan and Report