Chapter 5 – Managing the Test Activities
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) – ISTQB Definition
Last Updated: July 12, 2026 · SoftwareTestPilot QA Team
Official ISTQB Definition
A systematic approach to risk identification and analysis of possible modes of failure and attempting to prevent their occurrence.
In simple words
For each component, brainstorm how it could fail, what happens if it does, and how to prevent or detect it.
Exam tip
FMEA is common in safety-critical domains (automotive, medical) as part of product-risk analysis.
Related terms
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