ISO 14971: Choosing the right Risk Management Tools

Written by Dr John FitzGerald | Mar 19, 2024

Using FMEA alone is a lazy choice and no longer acceptable

ISO 14971, Medical Devices - Application of risk management to medical devices is frequently misapplied, and if your ISO 13485 QMS Manual claims to use ISO 14971, you'd better use it properly.

As the publication of ISO 14971:2019 and the associated Technical Report (a guide) ISO 24971:2020 attests, some bastardized versions of FMEA alone will no longer be accepted. External Auditors will want to see that both standards have been adequately applied in taking a product lifecycle approach.

Risk Management Courses offer assessment tools and techniques and unique insight into risk management's practical application. However, the variety, complexity, and wide range of applicability of these tools can be confusing, especially for those new to risk management.

Too often, those responsible for overseeing organizations' risk planning, monitoring, and response limit themselves to using basic FMEA - Failure Modes and Effect Analysis - or even a slimmed-down version of an FMEA. This is a mistake. External Auditors expect two or more risk management tools to be used.

How to Avoid Making Common Mistakes When Using ISO 14971

As emphasized in our ISO 14971 courses ...

DO NOT use FMEA alone: A single FMEA, usually a process FMEA, is typically used. This is not acceptable as the Standard requires risk management throughout the product lifecycle, from initial product concept to end-of-life disposal.
DO NOT use a pFMEA focused on component failure: This is to miss the point of Clause 7.1 of ISO 13485 completely, where it is the threat to patient/user safety in regular use and possible misuse of the product that is the primary concern.
DO NOT neglect to maintain a Risk Management File (RMF). This file is required in addition to the requirements of Clauses 4.2.3 and 7.3.10 of ISO 13485.
Do not forget to make periodic or adverse event-driven updates of Risk Management Tools/Methods: Risk management throughout the lifecycle of the product/device is required.
DO NOT forget to keep a history of updates in the RMF: The reasons why updates were made to risk management records are documented or referenced in the RMF.
DO NOT be complacent about gathering Post-Market Surveillance data, and make sure to update Risk Management records accordingly (in addition to other actions that may be required).

Risk Assessment Tools in the Product Life Cycle

When to Apply Risk Assessment Tools in the Product Lifecycle It is not immediately obvious to the reader of ISO 14971 as to where in the lifecycle of a product each of the tools should be applied. The table below maps each of the tools against the lifecycle stage where typically they are used.

Risk Assessment Tools in the Product Life Cycle


Tools and Techniques	Life Cycle Stage			Comment
Tools and Techniques	Design and Development	Production	Operation and Use	Comment
Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA)	X			It is most commonly carried out early in a project's development when there is little information on design details or operating procedures, and it can often be a precursor to further studies. It can be useful when analyzing existing systems or prioritizing hazards where circumstances prevent a more extensive technique from being used.
Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP)		X		While the use of HAZOP studies in the chemical industry focuses on deviations from design intent, there are alternative applications for a medical device developer. A HAZOP can be applied to: the operation/function of the medical device {e.g., to the existing methods/processes used for the diagnosis, treatment, or alleviation of disease as the "design intent"), or to a process used in the manufacture or maintenance/service of the medical device (e.g., sterilization) that can have a significant impact on the function of the medical device.
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)		X		This is a systematic approach to the identiﬁcation, evaluation, and control of hazards and is best applied to established processes, particularly manufacturing processes. Applied to medical devices, HACCP controls and monitors the initiating causes of product hazards originating in the processes themselves.
Design FMEA	X			During all stages of product design and development.
Process FMEA	X	X	X	During the design and development process and continuing throughout the product life cycle. Production and postproduction feedback is often used to update FMEAs and/or verity them.
Administrative FMEA		X	X	While Design and Process FMEAs are based on individual product components, FMEAs can also be applied to processes. Here, the risks associated with the individual activities that go to make up a process are examined, the associated risks are evaluated, and then, steps are taken to reduce unacceptable risks to an acceptable level.
User or Patient FMEA	X		X	In this case, the effects of product or component failure during use or unintended misuse are considered. While most frequently applied to considerations of patient safety, application to consumer or end-user satisfaction is also possible.
Fault Tree Analysis		X		This is a systematic approach to the identification and evaluation of fault conditions based on an analysis of possible causes. It is best applied to established processes, particularly manufacturing processes. A significant history of the process is needed, or else much time and effort can be wasted.
Event Tree Analysis		X		An event tree is an analytical, diagrammatic representation of a chronological series of subsequent events or consequences based on the analysis of an initiating event. Event tree analysis provides a model for examining the possible outcomes of a single event.

Risk management tools do not only apply to medical devices

While our focus is on the risk associated with Medical Device manufacture, you can no doubt find analogous opportunities to apply the tools to your organization. And they are not limited in use to manufacturing; they are just as applicable to all business activities, both public and private sector.

The management of risk is fundamental to business improvement. So be sure to give these tools a try.

Training is essential if you are to successfully implement these Risk Management Tools

To fill this need, we have developed two Courses.

For Internal Auditors:

For Quality Managers and Consultants:

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ISO 21001, Educational Organizational Management System,
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