Improving Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Progression to Project-specific Risk Assessment

Abstract

Abstract During Risk Assessment of project–specific procedures, the Designer, Operator and Client should scrutinize the original vessel Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and associated mitigations to ensure they include analysis of integrated vessel and equipment systems; and that the FMEA are still applicable and / or sufficient. FMEA usually occurs, as the vessel and/or mission equipment design nears completion. Typically, the Designer and the Operator collaborate to produce the FMEA. On the other hand, Risk Assessments for a specific project typically occur at two key times: when a Client and Operator consider the suitability of a vessel for a given project and then, in detail, once the vessel mission procedures have been prepared. The Risk Assessment of mission procedures provides the opportunity to align the Designer, Operator and Client with regard to the fit–for–purpose nature of the vessel and Mission Specific Equipment (MSE) or the Client's mission. The alignment extends to understanding the Designer's load development choices and the implication on capability / capacity assessment. The paper uses examples of incidents and discusses concepts to make the case for rigor in FMEA and project–specific Risk Assessments. The examples provide the rationale for greater emphasis on whether the mitigations developed during FMEA are adequate for specific offshore construction operations. Risk Assessment, tied to both mission procedures and the mitigations from FMEA, is critical for the improved performance and reliability of the offshore vessel mission.