ISO 26262 2nd Edition Module 5: Safety Analyst – DFA with Qualitative FMEA, FMEA-MSR and FTA Safety Analyses
Master ISO 26262 qualitative safety analyses through FMEA, FMEA-MSR, FTA, and DFA to identify, evaluate, and mitigate functional safety risks.
This two-day advanced ISO 26262 training provides a practical introduction to qualitative safety analysis methods used throughout the functional safety lifecycle. Participants learn how to perform Dependent Failure Analysis (DFA), Design and Safety FMEA, FMEA-MSR, and qualitative Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) in accordance with ISO 26262 requirements and industry best practices.
Through examples, exercises, and a comprehensive automotive case study, participants learn how to identify safety-related failures, evaluate architectural weaknesses, analyze common cause and cascading failures, and establish traceability between FMEA, DFA, and FTA results.
Dependent Failure Analysis with FTA / FMEA Analysis:
- This training explains the application of the Dependent Failure Analysis (DFA) in connection with the Functional Safety Lifecycle according to ISO 26262 with regard to normative requirements and practical recommendations.
- Qualitative inductive analyzes are deepened with a focus on the necessary automotive FMEAs as well as qualitative deductive analyzes with a focus on the FTA application.
To learn about our complete ISO 26262 certification program learning path, see Modular training program: ISO 26262 Training – Modules & Exams.
This course is intended for:
- Functional Safety Engineers
- Safety Managers
- Functional Safety Managers
- System Engineers
- Hardware Engineers
- Software Engineers
- Technical Project Managers
- Quality Engineers
- Reliability Engineers
- Product Safety Specialists
- Test and Validation Engineers
- Architects and Technical Leads
- Anyone involved in ISO 26262 safety analysis activities and safety-related product development
Day 1: Qualitative FMEA and DFA
Introduction and Foundations
- Overview of Module 5
- ISO 26262 safety analyses framework
- Functional safety and dependent failure analysis
- Fault, error, and failure concepts
Qualitative FMEA
- Role of FMEA in functional safety
- DFMEA and Safety FMEA concepts
- VDA/AIAG 7-step approach
- Structure analysis
- Function analysis
- Failure analysis
- Risk assessment and optimization
- Safety-related failures and safety mechanisms
FMEA-MSR
- Monitoring and System Response methodology
- Safety mechanisms and diagnostic coverage
- FTTI considerations
- Verification of monitoring effectiveness
- Practical exercises
Dependent Failure Analysis (DFA)
- ISO 26262 DFA requirements
- Common Cause Failures (CCF)
- Cascading Failures
- Coupling factors
- Shared resources and dependencies
- DFA reporting and recommendations
Day 2: Qualitative FTA and Integration of Safety Analyses
Foundations of FTA
- Introduction to Fault Tree Analysis
- History and applications
- Boolean logic fundamentals
- Gate types and fault tree structures
FTA Development
- Top events
- Primary and command failures
- Fault propagation modeling
- FTA structuring techniques
- Minimal cut set generation
Interfaces Between FMEA and FTA
- Consistency of results
- Root cause coverage
- Failure effect correlation
- Integration with FMEA-MSR
DFA Support Through FTA
- Identification of dependent failures
- Shared resources
- Communication dependencies
- Common cause failure identification
- Derivation of corrective actions
Safety Lifecycle Integration
- Safety analysis planning
- Work products and reports
- Verification activities
- ISO 26262 compliance considerations
- Course summary and feedback
As modern vehicles increasingly rely on complex electrical and electronic systems, robust safety analysis methods are essential to demonstrate compliance with ISO 26262 and achieve functional safety objectives. This advanced training provides in-depth coverage of qualitative safety analyses and their application throughout the safety lifecycle.
Participants begin by learning the foundations of safety analyses within ISO 26262, including the relationship between faults, errors, failures, safety goals, technical safety requirements, and architectural design. The course introduces qualitative Design FMEA (DFMEA) and Safety FMEA concepts as key inductive analysis techniques for identifying and evaluating safety-related malfunctions.
The training further explores FMEA-MSR (Monitoring and System Response), enabling participants to assess the effectiveness of safety mechanisms, diagnostic monitoring, fault detection, and system response with respect to Fault Tolerant Time Intervals (FTTI). Participants gain practical insight into how safety mechanisms contribute to risk reduction and compliance with functional safety requirements.
A major focus of the course is Dependent Failure Analysis (DFA). Participants learn how to assess architectural independence, identify common cause failures (CCF), cascading failures, shared resources, communication dependencies, and other coupling factors that can compromise safety goals. Practical techniques for documenting findings and creating safety analysis reports are discussed in detail.
The course also introduces qualitative Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), including fault tree construction, Boolean logic, fault propagation modeling, identification of minimal cut sets, and the interaction between FTA and FMEA-derived results. Through practical exercises based on a realistic automotive low-beam headlamp system, participants gain hands-on experience applying these methods and understanding their role in the overall ISO 26262 safety case.
After attending this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the objectives and requirements of safety analyses under ISO 26262.
- Differentiate between inductive and deductive safety analysis methods.
- Apply the VDA/AIAG FMEA methodology in a functional safety context.
- Identify safety-related failures, failure modes, effects, and causes.
- Perform qualitative DFMEA and Safety FMEA analyses.
- Evaluate monitoring and response mechanisms using FMEA-MSR.
- Conduct Dependent Failure Analysis and assess architectural independence.
- Identify common cause failures, cascading failures, and coupling factors.
- Construct qualitative Fault Tree Analyses using Boolean logic.
- Analyze minimal cut sets and derive improvement actions.
- Establish consistency between FMEA, FMEA-MSR, DFA, and FTA results.
- Generate safety analysis documentation and verification evidence aligned with ISO 26262.
As a supplement to our existing training course on functional safety in accordance with ISO 26262 (modules 1 to 4): ISO 26262 Automotive Functional Safety Training and Certification Program, in this additional course you will receive in-depth training on safety-related analyzes.
This training is specifically aimed at those involved in safety analyzes that are required in the course of safety-related development in accordance with the automotive standard ISO 26262. In Block DFA 1, qualitative inductive analyzes are dealt with a focus on the FMEA methodology as well as qualitative deductive analyzes with a focus on the FTA methodology.
Upon completion of this training, you will be able to:
- Understand the role of qualitative safety analyses within the ISO 26262 safety lifecycle.
- Apply DFMEA and Safety FMEA techniques to identify safety-related failures.
- Perform FMEA-MSR analyses to evaluate monitoring functions and system responses.
- Conduct Dependent Failure Analysis (DFA) according to ISO 26262 Part 9.
- Identify common cause failures and cascading failures.
- Develop qualitative fault trees and derive meaningful minimal cut sets.
- Understand the interfaces and consistency requirements between FMEA, FMEA-MSR, DFA, and FTA.
- Assess architectural weaknesses and safety mechanism independence.
- Create and review safety analysis reports and associated work products.
- Improve confidence in the development and assessment of automotive safety-related systems.
This instructor-led Live Online training combines theory with practical application through:
- Expert-led lectures
- Real-world automotive examples
- Guided exercises
- Interactive discussions
- Group activities
- Case-study-based learning
- Safety analysis workshops
- Q&A sessions
Training is delivered in a virtual classroom environment, allowing participants to interact directly with the instructor and peers throughout the session. Webcam and microphone participation are required for interactive exercises.
Participants' understanding is evaluated through:
- Interactive instructor-led discussions
- Knowledge-check questions
- Individual and group exercises
- Practical safety analysis workshops
- Case-study-based problem-solving activities
- Participation in classroom exercises
Successful participants receive a TÜV SÜD Certificate of Participation.
Participants receive:
- Instructor presentation materials
- Exercise worksheets
- Practical case-study examples
- Templates and examples of safety analysis work products
- Reference material covering DFA, FMEA, FMEA-MSR, and FTA concepts
- Certificate of Participation
Recommended:
- Completion of ISO 26262 Modules 1-4 that are covered in our ISO 26262 Automotive Functional Safety Training and Certification Program, or
- Equivalent understanding of ISO 26262 functional safety concepts
- Familiarity with automotive development processes
- Basic knowledge of safety lifecycle activities and safety requirements engineering
To learn about our complete ISO 26262 certification program learning path, see Modular training program: ISO 26262 Training – Modules & Exams.
What is the primary focus of this training?
The course focuses on qualitative safety analysis techniques required within ISO 26262, including DFMEA, Safety FMEA, FMEA-MSR, DFA, and qualitative FTA.
Does the course include Dependent Failure Analysis (DFA)?
Yes. DFA is a major component of the course and includes common cause failures, cascading failures, coupling factors, architectural dependencies, and ISO 26262 Part 9 requirements.
Is Fault Tree Analysis covered?
Yes. Participants learn qualitative FTA development, fault propagation modeling, Boolean logic, minimal cut sets, and FTA reporting.
Does the course cover FMEA-MSR?
Yes. The training includes Monitoring and System Response (MSR) analysis, safety mechanisms, diagnostic coverage, and FTTI considerations.
Are practical exercises included?
Yes. Multiple hands-on exercises and workshops are provided using a realistic automotive low-beam headlight system example.
Is this course focused on automotive applications?
Yes. The training is aligned with ISO 26262 and uses automotive examples throughout the course.
Will I learn how FMEA and FTA work together?
Yes. A dedicated section explains consistency, interfaces, and traceability between FMEA, FMEA-MSR, DFA, and FTA.
Does the course include quantitative analysis methods?
No. This course focuses on qualitative analyses only. Quantitative FMEDA and quantitative FTA are covered in Module 6.
What certificate will I receive?
Participants receive a TÜV SÜD Certificate of Participation.
What prior knowledge is recommended?
Completion of ISO 26262 Modules 1-4 or equivalent functional safety knowledge is strongly recommended.
How long is the course?
The duration is 2 days.
Who should attend?
Functional safety engineers, safety managers, architects, system engineers, software and hardware developers, project managers, quality engineers, and anyone involved in ISO 26262 safety analyses.
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