Based on the FMEA results below, which of the following items should be prioritized first?

FMEA prioritizes failure modes based on their Risk Priority Number (RPN), calculated as Severity x Occurrence x Detection.

Calculating RPN for each failure mode:

Failure Mode 1: 10 x 5 x 8 = 400

Failure Mode 2: 7 x 9 x 6 = 378

Failure Mode 3: 10 x 5 x 9 = 450

Failure Mode 4: 6 x 9 x 9 = 486

Failure Mode 3 has the highest RPN of 450, indicating it should be prioritized first for mitigation efforts.

References: FMEA guidelines, such as those from the AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group), recommend addressing the highest RPN values first to reduce risk.