TM12 practice question 9 of 15

You are performing a quality risk analysis for a CSCI (Computer Software Configuration Item) used to implement a CBIT (Continuous Built-In Test)…

Choose your answer, then check it against the explanation.

You are performing a quality risk analysis for a CSCI (Computer Software Configuration Item) used to implement a CBIT (Continuous Built-In Test) module of a safety-critical system. During the quality risk analysis you are trying to identify the ways in which failures of the CBIT module can occur, for each of them trying to determine the potential causes and likely effects, and the risk level (calculated as the product of three factors: severity, occurrence and detection). Which of the following risk analysis techniques are you working with? Number of correct responses: 1

Answer options

Correct Answer:

Explanation

The process described is a textbook application of Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA). This technique systematically identifies potential "failure modes" (ways a system can fail), analyzes their "effects," and determines their root "causes." A key component of FMEA is the calculation of a Risk Priority Number (RPN) to prioritize risks. The question explicitly states this calculation as the product of three factors: severity, occurrence (likelihood), and detection. This structured, bottom-up approach is characteristic of FMEA and is widely used for risk analysis in safety-critical systems, as described in the scenario.

Why Incorrect

A. The described method is a formal and structured technique (FMEA), not a generic or informal "lightweight" approach.

C. Wide Band Delphi is an expert-based estimation technique for forecasting, not a method for analyzing system failure modes.

D. Cost of Exposure calculates risk as the product of failure probability and cost, not the three-factor (S x O x D) model described.

References

1. Teoh, P. C., & Case, K. (2004). Failure modes and effects analysis through knowledge modelling. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 153-154, 253-260. (See Section 2, "Failure Modes and Effects Analysis," which describes the RPN calculation as Severity × Occurrence × Detection). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2004.04.258

2. University of Washington, Department of Mechanical Engineering. (n.d.). ME 395: Introduction to Mechanical Design - Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA). Courseware. (See slides 5-10, which detail the FMEA process and define the Risk Priority Number (RPN) as the product of Severity (S), Occurrence (O), and Detection (D)).

3. Stamatis, D. H. (2003). Failure Mode and Effect Analysis: FMEA from Theory to Execution (2nd ed.). ASQ Quality Press. (See Chapter 4, "The FMEA Process," which details the calculation of the RPN from Severity, Occurrence, and Detection ratings).

Question 9 of 15

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