Failure mode and effects analysis using hesitant fuzzy sets

Known and/or potential failures, problems, or errors (i.e., failure modes (FM)) that occur in a system, usually, terminate the ability of that system to perform a required function or to perform within previously specified limits. Such FMs are unavoidable for the majority of the systems and have the potential of affecting customers and consequently endangering the reputation of the entire organization. In this context, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), which consists of the assessment of FMs with respect to their ‘severity (S)’, ‘probability of occurrence (O)’, and ‘likelihood of detection (D)’, serves as an effective tool to consider and address potential threats to the system, and to minimize the associated risks. As these risks are usually multidimensional in nature and there exist inherent uncertainties and subjectivities in the risk assessment process, a FMEA approach based on Hesitant Fuzzy Sets is proposed in this study, and an illustrative example is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach.