Chapter 1: What Is a Failure?

Failure investigation is an integral part of any design and manufacturing operation, providing critical information to solve manufacturing problems and assist in redesigns. This chapter addresses several aspects of failure investigation, beginning with the challenges of organizing such efforts and the need to define a clear and concise goal, direction, and plan prior to the investigation. It covers the causes of failure and the training and education organizations require to understand and prevent them. The chapter emphasizes the importance of discovering the root cause of failures, and uses examples to explain the factors involved and how to recognize them when the first appear.