Failure Mode & Effect Analysis (FMEA)

Failure Mode and Effect Analysis is a technique to identify potential problems and determine the best way to avoid them. It's an engineering technique that has been extended to serve the needs of anyone who has to give presentations in public. We call the extended version: Presentation FMEA.

Do you need it?

If you only give presentations to small groups of people and any mistakes are quickly forgotten then you probably don't need to use Presentation FMEA. On the other hand, if you present to important executives, large groups or if certain important members of the audience tend to be critical and unforgiving then you may need to consider using it.

How does it work?

Presentation FMEA is a systematic method of breaking down an argument and looking at its strengths and weaknesses. It's usually best to use it at the early stages of developing a presentation. It can uncovers hidden implications that can be misconstrued or used against you. It's usually carried out by a small high-performance team.

How long does it take?

It can take a few hours or a few weeks - depending on the complexity of the arguments involved. There is a trade-off between the amount of time used and the probability of uncovering all potential problems. However, even a short session can be useful to identify and avoid the more immediate traps.

Making the presentation

When you are making an important presentation you could use PowerPoint like everyone else. However, there is another alternative. These packages have animated graphics so they will appeal to the audience and they have a framework to organize the key points and to prevent mistakes. Click on the "Software" button to learn more.