A P-Diagram ( Parameter Diagram) is a description of the functioning of the system under design. FMEA Executive has a built-in facility to create P Diagrams.
A P-Diagram defines the following:
- Signal and Responses: A Signal is an input to the system under design and the Responses are the Outputs from the system as expected by the design. Signal and Responses enable you visualize the functioning of the system.
- Error States: These are the undesirable outcomes when the system converts the Signals to Responses. Understanding Error States lead you to identification of Failure Modes.
- Control Factors: These are the design features you have built into the system to facilitate its functioning. Control Factors help you in identifying the current controls in a system that help preventing potential causes of failure.
- Noise Factors: Noise factors are variations in the environment in which the system needs to function. While working on a FMEA, the analyst needs to seek means by which the system functioning can be made robust to Noise Factors. Failures that arise due to variations in product or system usage can thus be prevented.
A P-Diagram is an excellent visualization of the system functioning and environment that can pinpoint potential for failure effectively.
