What type of analysis would primarily focus on identifying potential failure points in a safety-critical system?

Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is an analytical method specifically designed to systematically evaluate potential failure points in a system, especially those that are safety-critical. This technique allows teams to identify all possible ways a process, product, or system can fail, assessing the consequences of those failures, and prioritizing them based on their severity, occurrence, and detection risk.

In safety-critical systems, where the stakes are significantly high—such as in automotive or aerospace domains—ensuring that every potential failure mode is considered is vital for maintaining safety standards. FMEA provides a structured approach to enhancing reliability by identifying weaknesses early in the design or operation process.

To accomplish this, FMEA involves a collaborative effort among experts, encouraging a comprehensive understanding of how different parts of a system interact and can lead to failures. This predictive focus on identifying and mitigating risks makes FMEA a go-to choice for safety-critical applications, thus underscoring its relevance in identifying potential failure points effectively.