In an FMEA, what is the Risk Priority Number (RPN) if Severity (S) = 9, Occurrence (O) = 5, and Detection (D) = 4?

In a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), the Risk Priority Number (RPN) is calculated by multiplying three factors: Severity (S), Occurrence (O), and Detection (D). Each of these factors is assigned a numeric value based on the level of risk associated with the failure mode being analyzed.

To find the RPN, the formula used is:

RPN = Severity (S) × Occurrence (O) × Detection (D)

In this case, the values provided are as follows: Severity is 9, Occurrence is 5, and Detection is 4.

Calculating the RPN gives us:

RPN = 9 × 5 × 4 = 180

This calculation indicates the level of risk associated with a specific failure mode, allowing teams to prioritize risks and implement corrective actions accordingly. The correct answer, therefore, is 180. Understanding this calculation is crucial for assessing potential failures and mitigating risks in product development and quality management processes.