FTA (Fault Tree Analysis)

FTA is a tool which is used to analyze the failure cause, in order to identify the possible root causes and find the failure mechanism.

History of FTA:

1.First used in the early 1960s during development of ICBM launching control system at Bell Telephone Laboratories.

2. In 1965, use of FTA were presented through a couple of papers.

3.In late 1960s, FTA applied for nuclear power generation system for its effectiveness on reliability analysis and safety analysis.

4. Komatsu introduced FTA in middle of 1970s. It has been adapted for the use of efficient failure mechanism analysis.

Why use FTA?

1. To identifying root cause effectively and efficiently.

2. To facilitate Problem solving.

3. To organise failure analysis investigation.

FTA Phases:

1. Gather background information.

2. Develop summary of failure statement.

3. Establish a top event ( failure or problem).

4. Develop fault tree (5 Whys).

5. Develop an investigation action plan (What,Who, When).

6. Analyze investigation results.

7. Document presumed failure mechanism.

8. Verify conclusions and take corrective action.

Benefits of FTA:

1. Identify failures deductively.

2. 

Draw attention to critical system 

elements related to system failure. 

3. 

Build a graphical guide 

for evaluating and controlling processes.

4. Provides an alternatively way to analysis the system.

5. Focus on one fault at a time.

6. Expose system behavior and possible interactions.

7. Account for human error.