In this interview, we explore the challenges and strategies involved in integrating FMEA (Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis) methods into the automotive industry, a field where compliance with rigorous standards such as IATF 16949 is paramount. Agnès Fleury, Quality Manager at TotalEnergies Lubrifiants, shares her experience of adopting dedicated FMEA software to meet these growing requirements.
This interview highlights the technical and operational benefits of a solution like Skill FMEA Pro, from improved data management to facilitating audits and optimizing quality control processes.
Specialized FMEA software not only streamlines documentation and risk analysis, but also ensures optimum traceability throughout the product lifecycle and process evolutions.
Can you tell us about yourself and the challenges you face when it comes to FMEA?
"I am the Quality Manager at TotalEnergies Lubrifiants. Our main challenges are to meet IATF requirements and those of our customers, particularly those in the automotive sector. Controlling our processes is a key factor in achieving these objectives, and this process control involves carrying out process FMEAs.
This is what prompted us to adopt software, as managing FMEAs on Excel was becoming unmanageable. What's more, we had to comply with the new standards to carry out FMEAs, and Skill Software's software helped us in this task."
Dedicated FMEA software offers centralized data management, simplifying traceability and updating of information throughout the product lifecycle. They incorporate advanced features such as automatic report generation and the linking of product and process FMEAs, guaranteeing global consistency of analysis. This is particularly important for compliance with IATF 16949 standards, which require precise documentation and rigorous risk analysis. By automating time-consuming tasks such as entering bills of materials, rating risks and generating control documents, these software packages significantly reduce errors and increase team productivity.
What's more, the advanced functionalities of these specialized software packages enable more in-depth and structured FMEAs to be carried out. They facilitate the establishment of links between failure criteria, causes and corrective actions, while offering an intuitive interface for document editing. This approach not only improves the quality of analyses, but also their compliance with regulatory requirements, thus facilitating quality audits and inspections. By integrating modules for managing non-conformities, planning corrective actions and defining monitoring plans, these tools offer a complete solution for reinforcing the continuous improvement approach and guaranteeing compliance with automotive industry standards.
What were the initial reasons for choosing Skill FMEA Pro as your FMEA software?
"What made us choose Skill FMEA Pro in the first place was our prior knowledge of the competitor, which wasn't very positive. However, beyond this preconceived idea, we were convinced by the overall logic of the Skill Software FMEA tool, which seemed very coherent to us. The Skill Software sales representative presented the software to us very fluently, demonstrating a clear command of the product. This fluidity in the presentation and use of the software were important points for us.
In addition, the functionalities offered by Skill FMEA Pro software also offered the possibility of generating and editing legible and visual documents simply and efficiently, which was a major criterion in our decision."
A well-structured and clear business presentation plays a key role in the decision to adopt dedicated FMEA software. Indeed, a fluid, well-organized presentation demonstrates the salesperson's mastery of the product, and reassures customers of the competence and expertise of the team behind the software.
A clear, precise demonstration highlights the software's main features, such as centralized data management, traceability, integration with other systems, and compliance with industry standards (IATF 16949, ISO, etc.). This step becomes an indispensable element in presenting how the solution can effectively meet customers' specific needs and improve their quality management processes.
Can you tell us about the benefits and results of using Skill Software's FMEA software?
"Qualitatively speaking, our customers have been very satisfied with our use of the software. Data management is much improved. Although the FMEA methodology is complex, the software makes it easier to deploy. We can edit readable and visual documents as we wish.
In quantitative terms, we have been able to update our FMEAs in a significant and interesting way. Even if we haven't yet reached our final objective, the work is well underway."
By centralizing and structuring all FMEA-related data, dedicated software solutions ensure better traceability and facilitate audits. Information is stored in a secure and organized way, making it easy to update and consult. On a more global level, they enable data to be automatically capitalized on in generic FMEAs, and reused for new projects. This feature speeds up the creation of new FMEAs, guarantees consistency and facilitates the updating of knowledge in line with changes in standards.
Another key feature of FMEA software is its ability to automatically generate all standardized documents linked to FMEAs, such as FMEA tables, monitoring plans, workstation sheets, manufacturing mimics, Top Ten sheets, Reverse FMEAs, as well as meeting traceability. These documents are generated in a standardized way and comply with the requirements of current standards.
What's more, these software solutions can be integrated with other systems such as action plans, special features management and CAD systems. This integration guarantees overall consistency and complete traceability of information, facilitating compliance with current standards.
Some FMEA software packages also offer cross-functional audit modules, enabling instant diagnosis and homogenization of all design and manufacturing processes within the quality system. These cross-functional analyses of all FMEA studies facilitate compliance with the requirements of current standards.
Finally, dedicated FMEA software solutions are designed to support multi-site and multi-language deployments, making it easy to standardize FMEA processes across an international enterprise. This functionality is essential to meet the requirements of international standards.
Which elements of the Skill FMEA Pro solution and Skill Software support do you find most beneficial?
"The fact that we have succeeded in integrating the FMEA and the Monitoring Plan into a single software package, enabling information to be recorded, analyzed and edited in a variety of ways. It's the whole set of functionalities that is beneficial, it's the very essence of the software.
With regard to the team, a strong point is their strong customer focus. They take our expectations into account. We benefited from regular support over the first year to develop and integrate the use of the tool. This support was essential. Even today, I know I can ask for a remote check-up whenever I need it."
Every company has unique needs and constraints when it comes to FMEA. Careful listening and in-depth understanding of these needs enable the software publisher to offer a tailor-made solution, adapted to the customer's specific processes and requirements.
Thanks to a close relationship with the customer, the software publisher can customize the software solution to meet the precise needs identified. This can include specific configurations, adaptations to the user interface, or the integration of additional functionalities.
This close relationship is important, especially when it comes to getting to grips with the software, which can prove complex due to the rigorous methodology involved. Personalized support, adapted to the customer's level of knowledge and specific needs, is essential to facilitate the adoption and effective use of the tool. In this context, regular accompaniment and availability for remote check-ups guarantee ongoing support and rapid resolution of any difficulties encountered.
By listening carefully to customer feedback, the editor can identify potential areas for improvement and incorporate these suggestions into future software updates, enabling continuous improvement of the solution, in line with evolving user needs.
In a few words, how would you describe Skill Software and their Skill FMEA Pro solution?
"I think they're really good at listening to customers. It's impressive to see their ability to translate this listening and complex tools such as FMEA into integrated software."
