👉 Fails engineering, often referred to as "fail modes and effects analysis" (FMEA), is a systematic approach used to identify potential failures in a system, process, or design before they occur. However, when fails engineering is poorly executed, it can lead to significant oversights. This might include inadequate analysis of rare but high-impact failures, insufficient consideration of complex interactions between components, or a lack of robustness in testing scenarios. As a result, critical flaws may go undetected, leading to system failures that could have been prevented with thorough analysis. This can result in increased costs, safety risks, and reputational damage. Effective fails engineering requires a comprehensive, proactive approach that includes diverse perspectives, rigorous testing, and continuous improvement to truly mitigate the risks of system failures.