Manual Rmtools v70 en
Manual Rmtools v70 en
Manual Rmtools v70 en
Manual
Microsoft, Excel, Word, Windows 7, Windows 8.x, and Windows 10 are registered
trademarks Microsoft Corporation.
Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates.
Enterprise Architect is a registered trademark of SparxSystems Ltd.
This software is based partly on the work of Independent JPEG Group.
Preface
Welcome to APIS IQ Software (IQ = Integrated Quality), the software for FMEA,
DRBFM, Risk Analysis, Functional Safety, and Requirement Management.
The APIS IQ Software family comprises the APIS server software and the APIS
client software. The client software, which saw the light of day in 1992 and was
supplemented with the APIS CARM Server ten years later, has become very
popular. While the APIS IQ Software can work on its own and is applied this way
by most of the companies, the CARM Server is an optional supplement to meet
special business requirements.
The APIS server software requires the availability of a server to install the APIS
CARM Server software. Depending on the configuration level, the server may
provide various services (CSS = CARM Server Service, CSA = CARM Server
Agent), e.g.
• APIS CSS Module
• APIS CSS Action Tracking
• APIS CSA Web Publisher
A separate manual describes how to handle the server and the individual services.
The APIS client software is available in the following configuration levels:
• APIS IQ-FMEA
• APIS IQ-FMEA-L
• APIS IQ-FMEA PRO
• APIS IQ-RM
• APIS IQ-RM PRO
2 Preface
IQ-FMEA PRO
Configuration
IQ-RM PRO
IQ-FMEA-L
IQ-FMEA
IQ-RM
level
Function
Customer requirement management ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
System structure (Structure Tree, FFA, Graph Editor) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Process Flow Diagram (PFD) ✓ ✓
Control Plan (CP) ✓ ✓
Function and Failure Nets (net editors, Graph Editor) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Fault Tree Analysis ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
FMEA (AIAG, VDA, Mil, AIAG/VDA, and MSR, ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
etc.)
DRBFM ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Action Tracking (schedule) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Statistical analyses (Pareto, etc.) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Object Inspector ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
User-defined view ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Simultaneous Engineering ✓ ✓
Team communication (e-mail, internet) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Terminology management ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Multi-language support (ANSI) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Unicode and Asian operating languages ✓ ✓
Cause and effect diagram ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
CARM Server interface ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Functional Safety (IEC 61508/ISO 26262) ✓ ✓
Mechatronics FMEA ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Boundary Diagram ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Parameter Diagram ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Audit Trail ✓ ✓
System requirements 3
The APIS IQ Software supports users optimally in activities from the field of risk
analysis (FMEA, Process Flow Diagram, Control Plan, etc.). The redundancy-free
data set facilitates consistent and efficient changes in different documents without
the need for subsequent alignment. The software is optimally adjusted to the world
of Windows and is a future-proof basis for being integrated into workflow and
document management systems. It meets the expectations already regarding the
reuse of documented knowledge.
System requirements
The following hardware and software components are required to use the APIS IQ
Software:
• PC featuring a processor compatible with IA32 (x86)
• CD-ROM drive (optional)
• Windows 7, Windows 8 (desktop mode), Windows 8.1 (desktop mode),
Windows 10
• 500 MB hard disk space
• 1024 MB RAM minimum; display resolution 1024 x 768 pixels minimum
4 GB RAM, 2 GHz CPU and higher, and a display resolution of 1920 x 1080
pixels and more are recommended.
4 Installation
Installation
When installing the software, the single-user version and the network version must
be differentiated. The most essential differences are the following:
• The single-user version or NLX client can be installed only to the local
drive of your computer. Network drives can be used though to store data.
• With the network version, data and program can be stored either on any
(local or network) drive. The network version is usually chosen, if several
users are intended to work with the APIS IQ Software and their
computers are interlinked. The program must be installed only once on the
network and can be used by several users at the same time – as many as
the acquired number of maximally active users. That saves time and effort
– especially with regard to updating and maintaining the installed
program, e.g. when service packs or updated are installed or functions
enhanced.
Note: To execute the installation, the required access rights must be granted by
the operating system.
Proceed according to the instructions given in the dialog box to execute the
installation steps and to install the program files and the selected components.
Installation 5
http://iq.apis.de/installation
Network compatibility
In the appropriate version, the APIS IQ Software is network-compatible. A
program is referred to as network-compatible, if several users can use the program
at the same time without one copy of the program being made for each of the users
separately.
Important: Do not in any case edit the documents created with the APIS IQ
Software using another editor, as this may result in the destruction of data and
program errors.
Use the available interfaces to exchange data with other systems (chapter
“Interfaces to other systems”).
What can I do with the APIS IQ Software? 7
• Summary of changes
First steps
The user interface of the APIS IQ Software complies with the latest standards of
Windows programs. If the user knows other Windows standard applications, e.g.
Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel, it should be simple to operate the APIS IQ
Software, provided that he knows the most important concepts (see chapter “The
most important concepts of the APIS IQ Software”).
The Assistant
The Assistant helps the user in performing the risk analysis by analyzing the
current status of the document and then handing out advice on how to proceed. The
Assistant as well as the Screen Show is enabled via the Help menu. For a detailed
description of the Assistant, please refer to the online help page.
The symbols used in the PFD can be connected with arrowed lines; line style and
line width can be selected. Linear sequences can be represented as well as
branching and merging.
The number of partial sequences to be represented simultaneously is unlimited, as
is the number of process steps a diagram may contain.
Next to the (graphical) flow diagram, there is a correlated table, in which you can
enter the following additional details regarding the individual process steps:
• Name and number of process element
• Name, number, and classification of process characteristics assigned to
the process element
• Name, number, and classification of product characteristics assigned to
the process element
The classification of characteristics is represented by symbols, which can be
selected from a symbol palette as well.
Control Plan
In the Production Control Plan, the following pieces of test information are stored
for the individual process steps:
• Number and name of the process step
• Machines, tools etc. required for the process step
• Product and process characteristics relevant to the process steps and their
numbers
• Classification of characteristics (as symbols)
• Information on testing of characteristics (type of method, scope and
frequency of testing etc.)
• Reaction plans in case of noncompliance with characteristic classification
There may be more than one Control Plan for each structure.
Function Net
The Function Net contains information on the causes and effects for the functions
of a structure or a project. The Function Net graphically provides information
about every possible cause and effect of a given function (the so-called “focus
element”) of the examined system.
Editors and functions of the APIS IQ Software 11
Failure Net
The Failure Net contains information on the causes and effects for the failures of a
structure or a project. The Failure Net graphically provides information about
every possible cause and effect of a given failure (the so-called “focus element”) of
the examined system.
Graph Editor
The Graph Editor is a new editor available to represent and edit structures or rather
function nets and failure nets as a whole.
Deadline Editor
The Deadline Editor lists the responsible person, the target completion date, and
any additional information for each individual action and is therefore useful for the
project management. The actions of a single or all forms in the current IQ
document can be displayed optionally. Responsible persons can be notified by e-
mail from the Deadline Editor. In addition to the default layout, there is a layout
that can be used for Action Tracking in accordance with VDA 96.
The content of the Deadline Editor can be sorted and filtered in various ways.
Statistical analyses
The Statistics Editor supplies numbers and graphics based on the evaluation of risk
in a system. The following analyses are available:
• Pareto analysis: Representation of the share of the most severe failures in
the total risk (20/80 rule)
• Pareto compact: Simplified representation of the Pareto analysis
• Difference analysis: Shows the improvement of the risk evaluation
because of completed actions and/or the potential improvement for not yet
completed actions
• Frequency analysis: RPN frequency distribution within the scope of
examination
Editors and functions of the APIS IQ Software 13
Variants Matrix
The Variants Matrix provides a possibility to define and compare contents of the
different variants in a structure. The lines of the Variants Matrix contain the objects
of the structure, the columns contain the variants. Objects can be added to and/or
removed from the variants by mouse-clicking in the cells of the matrix.
IQ Explorer
(FMEA) knowledge available within a company can be searched and reused with
the IQ Explorer. It provides a number of powerful search functions to search in IQ
documents. The search results can be copied into existing documents.
Unicode
The contents of FME files and the user interface of the APIS IQ Software can be
displayed in the PRO versions, even with character sets for which one ANSI
character set is no longer sufficient.
Assistant
The Assistant supports the user both in operating the program and in creating the
FMEA. It guides the user step by step through the process creating the FMEA by
means of assistant rules even if the user does not know all the details necessary for
operating the program. Instead, the user may choose from a suggested list of tasks,
and the Assistant will perform the execution of the necessary commands.
The support of the Assistant goes beyond that: It also provides methodical help, i.e.
it supports the user in carrying out the FMEA pursuant to the rules described in the
Editors and functions of the APIS IQ Software 15
User-defined views
The editor helps the user to design own forms in order to present, print, filter, or
edit parts of the data content. It is possible to name, store, and call up user-defined
views.
Object Inspector
The Object Inspector shows all properties and structural relationships of an object.
The properties can be edited in this editor. The Object Inspector provides a clear
presentation of the values/attributes and links of the respective object. It is the
suitable tool to edit the values/properties of an object. The Object Inspector is
especially suited for collecting and editing variant-specific values as well as the
management of multilingual data content of an object.
Block Diagram
The Block Diagram Editor provides the user with the possibility to import graphics
from the Enterprise Architect© software. As an alternative, you may choose
graphics in the SVG format from other sources. Sections may be defined in the
graphics and assigned to IQ objects.
Parameter Diagram
The user may use the Parameter Diagram, in short P Diagram, to analyze a system
in a specific manner. In addition to representing input and output parameters, it is
possible to record control and noise factors and to show possible error states.
Audit Trail
The Audit Trail function enables the tracking of changes in FME files via an access
authorization procedure. In this way, smaller and larger versions of a FMEA may
be generated, which either run through part of or the entire procedure.
Quality Editors, the CTQ characteristics (Critical to Quality) are subdivided into
Critical Design Parameters (CDP) and Critical Process Parameters (CPP) and
prioritized.
Management Report
The Management Report Editor can be used to create and manage status reports at
regular intervals. The user can define the layout of the report to a great extent
within the scope of predefined sections. Specific key figures can be determined and
kept up-to-date automatically by means of filters, quality rules, and wildcard
characters.
Results Documentation
By means of a special template, the user may create a report in the Management
Report Editor, which summarizes the results of the analysis. This summary may be
used for documentation purposes.
18 Concepts of the user interface
Data Manager
The Data Manager is the standard interface to edit “administrative units” in the
administration data section of an FME file. It is activated from the Personal
Desktop via the administration menu.
The following administrative units are available:
• Persons and teams (for actions and requirements)
• Symbolic responsibilities and deadlines (for actions and requirements)
• Interested parties (are assigned to requirements)
Concepts of the user interface 19
What is a QM document?
QM documents are documents intended to record quality management activities
concerning a product or a process. Many QM documents are specified in standards
and publications, such as e.g. in VDA-FMEA, AIAG-FMEA or IATF 16949. One
purpose of the APIS IQ Software is to conveniently create consistent QM
documents. The concepts and procedures described in this chapter contribute to
this.
IQ documents
What is an IQ document?
An IQ document is a file with the extension FME. Any number of projects can be
saved in this file.
If the APIS IQ Software is installed correctly, the IQ documents are registered in
the operating system, i.e. the Windows Explorer shows an IQ document with its
own icon and the column “Type” gives the description “IQ document”.
Furthermore, that means that an IQ document can be opened by double-clicking,
e.g. from Windows Explorer or as an e-mail attachment.
Note: Do not in any case open or edit an IQ document with a text editor or another
program. This leads to program errors and data loss.
Views like the FMEA Form, Process Flow Diagram, Control Plan, the graphical
structure, Function and Failure Net, schedules etc. are therefore always fully
integrated and thus aligned in content. Changes made to IQ objects in one view
lead to changes of the underlying data and automatically affect all other views
containing the same information.
The information of an IQ document is subject to the shared terminology control
and thus enables the intelligent re-use of information.
Certain information is global for an IQ document (the FME file), i.e. it affects all
IQ objects and views in this document. These are in particular:
• Valuation catalogs: the default valuation catalog set in the IQ document
is used in every instance where risk valuations are to be assigned, e.g. in
the FMEA Form
• Symbol palettes: the default symbol palettes set in the IQ document are
used in all views that apply symbols, e.g. in the Process Flow Diagram
• Teams and persons: the list to select persons from, who are responsible
for actions, is always the same in all structures of the IQ document
• Risk Matrix Sets: consist of the three risk matrices SxO, SxD, DxO and a
section showing the risk matrix rank (RMR).
Projects
Projects are organizational units within an IQ document. They combine one or
more structures that are related in content, e.g. the system, design and process
structure of a product. The number of structures contained in a project is unlimited.
Structures
What is a structure?
A structure is a view of the data model applied by the APIS IQ Software and
enables the representation of virtually all pieces of information relevant to the
creation of QM documents. The structure consists of the IQ objects of the data
model of the APIS IQ Software and indicates their interrelations and connections
by means of symbols. The structure is absolutely redundancy-free (no double data
management) and thus guarantees the consistency of all QM document contents.
The QM documents that can be created with the APIS IQ Software are nothing
other than further different views of the underlying data.
A structure is an object with the following properties: name, owner, type (system,
design, process), root element, and (optional) number.
The name of the structure is shown in various selection lists and in the title bar of
the Structure Editor and the FFA Editor. It should be detailed and descriptive.
The owner of the structure can assign other users with access levels to “his”
structure.
The number of the structure is used to create clear numbering for all IQ objects
within the structure.
The root element is the “starting element” of the graphical tree. We recommend
choosing a rather short name for the root element because of the limited space on
screen. However, the APIS IQ Software itself does not restrict the length of the
name of the structure or the root element.
24 The most important concepts of the APIS IQ Software
The commands described in the following are available in the View menu.
Unfold all
The entire graphical structure tree is unfolded.
Fold and unfold level
All elements at the same level of the tree as the selected element are folded. In the
following example, the element h was selected before the command was executed.
When you use the command again, the effect of the above command is reversed.
Show branch
The folded part of a tree is fully unfolded.
28 The most important concepts of the APIS IQ Software
Hide branch
The entire branch starting from the selected element is hidden.
Anchoring
In the APIS IQ Software, different objects are always interrelated. Using the IQ
Software terminology, you can say that (dependent) IQ objects are anchored to
other (independent) IQ objects, i.e.:
• Functions and characteristics are anchored to system and process elements
• Failures are anchored to functions
• Actions are anchored to failures (more precisely: to their revision states
and action groups)
The following figure shows the system element “Operator” of a process to which
two functions and a process characteristic are anchored. One failure respectively is
anchored to the characteristic and the functions, and revision states (the example
shows initial states) with different actions are anchored to these failures.
The most important concepts of the APIS IQ Software 29
It is important that a dependent (subordinate) object can never exist without the
associated superordinate object in the APIS IQ Software. If necessary, the APIS
IQ Software will automatically generate the missing superordinate object.
If, for example, an action is entered in an entirely blank FMEA form, then the
APIS IQ Software generates the three IQ objects, on which the action depends, i.e.
a failure, a function, and a system element. We refer to this type of connection as
“automatic anchoring”.
Reuse of IQ objects
choice than making the change twice, i.e. in the original text and the copied
section.
The APIS IQ Software therefore features a far more useful concept, namely the
concept of reuse. If, e.g., an object is reused instead of simply copied, then it is
possible to correct spelling mistakes only once (and regardless in which
occurrence) and all other occurrences will be corrected automatically.
The concept of reuse in the APIS IQ Software has many other advantages:
• Objects can be selected from catalogs
• Objects are subject to terminology control
• Objects take part in the inheritance
• Objects bring along all objects anchored to them
• Objects need to be translated only once
Inheritance of failures
The APIS IQ Software provides inheritance of failures for reused functions.
Existing failures are carried forward and, likewise, reused. Furthermore, if failures
are introduced to a function with several occurrences, these failures are passed onto
all other occurrences on demand, i.e. further occurrences of the new failures are
generated and anchored to the other occurrences of the function.
The following figure shows the confirmation dialog displayed by the APIS IQ
Software for the following case: A new failure (“Grinding process is not started”)
is anchored to a function (“Start grinding process”), with this function having more
than one occurrence (namely in the system elements “Grinding process seat of ball
bearing” and “Grinding process seat of ball bearing and tread surface of shaft
seal”):
32 The most important concepts of the APIS IQ Software
The user decides in both cases whether to execute the task for all IQ objects
concerned or only for selected objects.
If the user does not want to or cannot decide which objects to change, he may
confirm in the confirmation dialog to change only one object, namely the one
selected when the operation was started. This behavior corresponds to a “fail safe
strategy”, the user changes conveniently a selected object and this object only. The
user controls the changes made in other places via a confirmation dialog.
The most important concepts of the APIS IQ Software 33
Reuse or copy?
The APIS IQ Software provides two options to reuse objects:
• Input Collector
• Direct dragging of reusable objects using the mouse (Drag & Drop)
It is possible, however, to copy only the text of an object without reusing the
object. For this purpose, e.g. the Special Drag function can be used (Special Drag =
Drag & Drop with the right mouse button instead of the left mouse button similar
to the usual Drag & Drop).
Document templates
With the template concept, the APIS IQ Software provides a simple option to
define document-related settings as company-specific standards and distribute
them throughout the company. In addition, the Workstation Settings of a user of
the APIS IQ Software can be reset to company-specific default in a simple
manner.
For this purpose, a file called NORMAL.FMT (FMT = FME template) is
administrated in a workgroup directory, which contains the document-specific
settings. When a new IQ document is created, the contents of this template are
transferred into the new document. Thus, the document contains all default
settings, which also “go along with it”, e.g. when the document is copied, sent by
e-mail etc. If changed settings of the document are to be reset, the content of the
NORMAL.FMT file can be reloaded at any time.
The other way around, it is also possible at any time to transfer the settings from
any document into the NORMAL.FMT. If e.g., self-defined valuation catalog is to be
34 The most important concepts of the APIS IQ Software
Terminology control
To facilitate the reuse of knowledge contained in APIS IQ documents, standardized
terminology is required. The names of reusable objects (system/process elements,
functions, characteristics, failures, and actions) should be uniformly assigned and
used in the IQ documents. This is partly ensured by the APIS IQ Software, if the
user applies the Input Collector and the catalog function when entering data.
Nevertheless, it may happen, e.g. if several persons enter data, that different names
are assigned to the same function/failure or the same name is entered several times.
The following cases may happen, for example:
1. User A has entered a function with the name “Ensure compressive strength” for
a system element, whereas user B now enters a function called “Make sure
The most important concepts of the APIS IQ Software 35
compressive strength” for another system element. The function obviously has
the same meaning in both cases. Using the Terminology and Translation Editor
in the Data Manager, the two different functions can be merged so that the
APIS IQ Software regards them as reused and they are subject to inheritance
again.
2. User A has entered a function with the name “Compatibility with other
materials” for a system element, whereas user B now enters a function with the
same name for another system element (e.g. because he did not see that the
function already exists in the selection list). Again, Terminology Control allows
for merging these terms.
Please note: The APIS IQ Software features very effective access control methods
based on passwords assigned to users. If the supervisor password is lost, there is no
way of deleting unknown passwords anymore. If no user is available with (known)
password, it is impossible to open a password-protected IQ document. The
document must be sent to the APIS Support to unlock. The unlocking procedure
will be charged and is connected with certain formalities. Therefore, and for
less administrative expense (“single point of administration” of passwords), we
recommend using primarily the access mechanisms of your operating system.
Multilingual documents
The APIS IQ Software supports the possibility of storing the contents of an IQ
document in several languages. This is interesting in particular to users, who
operate globally. A typical scenario of the implementation of multilingual
documents is the following:
• In France, an FMEA is created for a system, the reference language is
French. Note: A reference language must be assigned to every IQ
document. This is usually the language the document was created in; the
document must contain a name for each translatable object.
• This document is to be processed in Brazil. For this purpose, Portuguese
is assigned as the target language of the IQ document. Then, all objects of
this FMEA (system elements, functions, failures, actions, etc.) are
translated into the target language. This may be done either by means of
Direct Input in the translation mode of the Forms Editor or by using the
Terminology and Translation Editor in the Data Manager.
Versioning of information
“Versioning” means storing a certain processing state of data unchanged. This state
is virtually frozen in the IQ document and can be viewed and printed, but not
edited anymore under any circumstances. A working copy of the versioned data is
created to enable users to continue their work, which is entirely independent of the
version it was created from. Data can be versioned as often as you like. In this way,
the complete development of the versioned object can be documented throughout
its lifespan.
The following objects and views can be versioned in the APIS IQ Software:
• Structures
• FMEA Forms
• (Production) Control Plans
If a structure is versioned, it means that all the objects contained and their possible
views (see above) are frozen. However, it is possible to version individual or all
FMEA Forms or Control Plans within a structure. In extreme cases, a structure
version may contain several versions of FMEA Forms or Control Plans.
When creating a version, the cover sheet is saved with the FMEA Form. The
version of a form can be viewed and printed only; the content of the form cannot
be changed anymore. It is, however, still possible to:
• Change the layout of the form
• Change the content language (if the content has been translated into other
languages)
• Change the display options of the version
• Change the column width
• Generate the form-related analyses for the version
• Filter and sort the form.
Function Nets
Functions Nets describe how subordinate functions interact in a system in order to
ensure the main functions, i.e. they correlate functions in cause and effect
relationships. In Functions Nets, functions may have an unlimited number of
causes and effects (sometimes referred to as “consequences”). A function that has
The most important concepts of the APIS IQ Software 39
Failure Nets
Failure Nets describe the proliferation of failures in a system. They correlate
failures in cause and effect relationships. In Failure Nets, failures may have an
unlimited number of causes and effects (or consequences). A failure that has only
causes in a system, is called top-level effect. A failure that has only effects, is
called bottom-level failure or primary cause. In other words, Failure Nets describe
how top-level effects arise from primary causes through intermediate steps or
which effects are caused by a primary cause in a system. The number of steps from
the primary cause to the top-level-effect is unlimited.
Revision States
The “E” in FMEA stands for (failure) “effects” (analysis). In the valuation and
optimization phase of the FMEA, one has to describe how critical causes are or can
be counteracted by means of actions. Usually, an analysis of the current state is
performed (Which actions do currently exist? = assessment of the current state) and
a target state is added, if necessary, to the actual state (Which new actions shall be
introduced? = optimization). This target state is scheduled for a certain deadline
and shall be regarded as introduced from the date of implementation. Thus, the
former target state becomes the new current state.
The “typical” FMEA, as it is found in the FMEA Forms in accordance to AIAG
and VDA 86, ends at this point. The APIS IQ Software, however, also supports the
later system analysis according to VDA 96/2006 or VDA-AIAG, whose form
facilitates the documentation of the continuous improvement process. Therefore,
the APIS IQ Software does not use rigidly the terms of current state and target
state. Rather, any number of revision states can be assigned to a failure or a
function in the APIS IQ Software, one of which is always the current state; the
others merely document past or planned states. There can be several action groups
within a revision state, whereas only one action group is needed under normal
conditions.
40 The most important concepts of the APIS IQ Software
If you want to document that no improvement is needed for a revision state, you
can enable the corresponding option in the properties dialog of the revision state.
Thus, you make sure that the “planned actions” columns in the FMEA Form
pursuant to AIAG-FMEA are filled in automatically.
Action Groups
An action group comprises one or more prevention and detection actions and rates
them with a shared RPN. All prevention actions in an action group together are
evaluated with regard to their effectiveness and are assigned the same occurrence
rating. The same procedure is applied to the detection actions with regard to the
detection rating.
In the APIS IQ-Software, one revision state may contain several action groups.
This possibility can be used to document e.g. alternatives considered by the FMEA
team. If a revision state contains several action groups, all except one are to be
marked as “rejected” for the final documentation.
Action groups appear in a revision state only, if more than one is available. Under
normal circumstances, a revision state contains exactly one action group, which is
not visible.
The most important concepts of the APIS IQ Software 41