FMEA Severity Scores Guidelines

Six Sigma Academy Amsterdam, 2022 ©

Score Meaning Product or service Machine/equipment

10 Hazardous without warning Failure will cause harm to user without warning. Failure will cause harm to operator without warning.
9 Hazardous with warning Failure will cause harm to user with warning. Failure will cause harm to operator with warning.
8 Very High Failure makes it impossible to use. Failure will prevent use of equipment.
7 High Failure is noticeable by user. One can use it but the performance Failure will cause 100% faulty output.
is substantially lower which affects user satisfaction substantially.
6 Moderate Failure is noticeable by user. One can use it but the performance Failure will cause substantial faulty output.
is moderately lower which moderately affects user satisfaction.
5 Low Failure is noticeable by user. One can use it, but the Failure will cause minor faulty output.
performance is a little bit lower which has a little bit effect on
customer satisfaction.
4 Very low Failure is noticeable by user and affects performance and Failure will cause minor/severe/100% faulty output but can
satisfaction. But it can be easily overcome with easily be overcome with modification(s)/actions.
modification(s)/actions.
3 Minor Failure is noticeable by user but does not affect performance. Failure will lead to substantial performance loss without
affecting output quality.
2 Very minor Failure is not noticeable by user and does not affect Failure will lead to minor performance loss without
performance. affecting output quality.
1 None Failure is not noticeable by user and will not affect the use. Failure will not affect performance or output quality.