Title: Integrating SWOT analysis into the FMEA methodology to improve corrective action decision making

Authors: Agung Sutrisno; Hyuck Moo Kwon; Indra Gunawan; Steven Eldridge; Tzong Ru Lee

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sam Ratulangi University, Kampus Bahu, Manado, Sulawesi Utara, 95115, Indonesia ' Department of System Management and Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, South Korea ' School of Engineering and Information Technology, Federation University Australia, Gippsland Campus, Churchill, VIC 3842, Australia ' School of Management, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4XY, UK ' Department of Marketing Management, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan

Abstract: Improving the method for selecting risk-based competing improvement strategies has equal importance with failure risk quantification in the FMEA methodology. Nevertheless, there are few studies which focus on this issue. Furthermore, the influence of factors relating to the business environment which may support or derail improvement efforts is not considered in previous studies. In order to address these limitations, a model is proposed in which the impact of environmental factors is considered by integrating SWOT analysis into the FMEA method in order to support the appraisal of competing risk-based improvement efforts. The impact of SWOT variables is deployed using a decision support model based upon the benefit, cost, opportunity, risk and organisational readiness index (BCOR2) approach in order for the FMEA team to select from competing corrective actions. A case example from industry is provided in which the proposed model is applied. This example illustrates that this new model contributes successfully to good practice by identifying the most appropriate corrective action option to take and improves upon the decisions provided by existing developments of the FMEA methodology.

Keywords: FMEA; failure mode and effects analysis; SWOT analysis; BCOR; organisational readiness; corrective action; competing risks; benefits; costs; opportunities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2016.073283

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2016 Vol.17 No.1, pp.104 - 126

Received: 12 Apr 2014
Accepted: 11 Jul 2014
Published online: 30 Nov 2015 *

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