failure mode may have more causes. For example; "fatigue or corrosion of a structural beam" or "fretting corrosion in an electrical contact" is a failure mechanism and in itself (likely) not a failure mode. The related failure mode (end state) is a "full fracture of structural beam" or "an open electrical contact". The initial cause might have been "Improper application of corrosion protection layer (paint)" and /or "(abnormal) vibration input from another (possibly failed) system". Failure effect Immediate consequences of a failure on operation, or more generally on the needs for the customer / user that should be fulfilled by the function but now is not, or not fully, fulfilled. Indenture levels (bill of material or functional breakdown) An identifier for system level and thereby item complexity. Complexity increases as levels are closer to one. Local effect The failure effect as it applies to the item under analysis. Next higher level effect The failure effect as it applies at the next higher indenture level. End effect The failure effect at the highest indenture level or total system. Detection The means of detection of the failure mode by maintainer, operator or built in detection system, including estimated dormancy period (if applicable). Probability The likelihood of the failure occurring. Risk priority number (RPN) Severity (of the event) × probability (of the event occurring) × detection (probability that the event would not be detected before the user was aware of it). Severity The consequences of a failure mode. Severity considers the worst potential consequence of a failure, determined by the degree of injury, property damage, system damage and/or time lost to repair the failure. Remarks / mitigation / actions Additional info, including the proposed mitigation or actions used to lower a risk or justify a risk level or scenario. Example of FMEA worksheet Probability (P) It is necessary to look at the cause of a failure mode and the likelihood of occurrence. This can be done by analysis, calculations / FEM, looking at similar items or processes and the failure modes that have been documented for them in the past. A failure cause is looked upon as a design weakness. All the potential causes for a failure mode should be identified and documented. This should be in technical terms. Examples of causes are: Human errors in handling, Manufacturing induced faults, Fatigue, Creep, Abrasive wear, erroneous algorithms, excessive voltage or improper operating conditions or