Visual Diagrams
NirmIQ provides five visual diagram types to support the AIAG-VDA 7-step FMEA methodology. Each diagram uses data from your existing analysis — no separate data entry required.
Process Flow Diagram
Available for: PFMEA analyses
A vertical flowchart showing your manufacturing or assembly process steps in sequence.
What It Shows
- Process steps as rectangular nodes, connected top-to-bottom
- Parent-child relationships from the Structure Tree
- Step sequence matching the order of structure elements
How to Access
- Open a PFMEA analysis
- Click the "Process Flow" sub-tab
Data Source
The diagram is generated from the Structure Tree elements of your PFMEA. Each structure element becomes a process step in the flow. The parent-child hierarchy defines the flow sequence.
The Process Flow Diagram reflects your Structure Tree. Add or reorder structure elements to update the flow.
Use Cases
- Visualize the manufacturing sequence before identifying failure modes
- Present the process overview in team reviews
- Include in PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) documentation
Function Net
Available for: DFMEA and PFMEA analyses
A three-column diagram showing how functions map across system hierarchy levels.
What It Shows
Three columns representing hierarchy levels:
| Column | Level | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Left | System | Top-level functions |
| Center | Subsystem | Mid-level functions |
| Right | Component | Detailed functions |
Lines connect functions across levels to show relationships. This visualization corresponds to Step 3: Function Analysis of the AIAG-VDA 7-step process.
How to Access
- Open any DFMEA or PFMEA analysis
- Click the "Function Net" sub-tab
Data Source
Functions are pulled from the functions array defined on each Structure Tree element. The hierarchy level of the element determines which column it appears in.
Use Cases
- Verify complete function coverage across all levels
- Identify missing functions (elements without defined functions)
- Communicate system architecture to cross-functional teams
- Support AIAG-VDA Step 3 documentation requirements
Failure Net
Available for: DFMEA and PFMEA analyses
A three-column cause-effect visualization showing how failures propagate across system levels.
What It Shows
| Column | Content | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Left | Effects (impact at higher level) | Colored by AP |
| Center | Failure Modes (how the function fails) | Colored by AP |
| Right | Causes (root cause at lower level) | Colored by AP |
Lines connect causes → failure modes → effects to show the Failure Chain — a key concept in AIAG-VDA Step 4: Failure Analysis.
How to Access
- Open any DFMEA or PFMEA analysis
- Click the "Failure Net" sub-tab
Color Coding
Nodes are colored by Action Priority:
- Red — High priority failure modes
- Amber — Medium priority
- Green — Low priority
This makes it easy to spot the most critical failure chains at a glance.
Data Source
Uses the parent_effect_id and linked_mode_id fields on failure modes to build chain relationships. If you've linked failure modes across hierarchy levels, the net shows the complete propagation path.
Use Cases
- Trace how a component-level cause leads to a system-level effect
- Identify common causes that affect multiple failure modes
- Present failure analysis results to auditors and reviewers
- Support AIAG-VDA Step 4 documentation requirements
Block/Boundary Diagram
Available for: DFMEA analyses only
An interactive diagram showing system components and their scope boundaries.
What It Shows
- Blocks representing structure elements (components, subsystems)
- Boundary rectangle (dashed line) showing the scope of the analysis
- In-scope elements inside the boundary, out-of-scope outside
- Connections between blocks showing interfaces
How to Access
- Open a DFMEA analysis
- Click the "Block/Boundary" sub-tab
Interactive Features
- Drag blocks to rearrange the layout
- Toggle scope — Click an element to mark it as in-scope or out-of-scope
- Positions are saved automatically
Data Source
Blocks are created from Structure Tree elements. Position data (x, y coordinates) and scope status are stored on each element and persist between sessions.
Use Cases
- Define what is and isn't included in the DFMEA scope
- Identify interfaces between in-scope and out-of-scope components
- Communicate analysis boundaries to stakeholders
- Support AIAG-VDA Step 2: Structure Analysis
P-Diagram
Available for: DFMEA analyses only
A Parameter Diagram (P-Diagram) showing the relationship between inputs, outputs, control factors, noise factors, and error states.
What It Shows
The P-Diagram has five zones arranged around a central system block:
| Zone | Position | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Signal Input | Left | What triggers the system (e.g., driver presses brake pedal) |
| Ideal Response | Right-top | Desired output when working correctly |
| Error States | Right-bottom | Undesired outputs (failure modes) |
| Control Factors | Top | Parameters the engineer can control |
| Noise Factors | Bottom | Environmental/usage factors outside control |
How to Access
- Open a DFMEA analysis
- Click the "P-Diagram" sub-tab
Editing
The P-Diagram editor lets you:
- Add items to each zone by clicking and typing
- Remove items with the delete button
- Rearrange items within zones
- Data is stored as JSON on the analysis and auto-saves
Data Source
P-Diagram data is stored as a JSONB field on the FMEA analysis record. It is independent of the Structure Tree — you define the diagram content directly.
Use Cases
- Identify noise factors that may cause failures (feeds into Failure Analysis)
- Document the ideal response vs. error states for each function
- Brainstorm control factors during team FMEA sessions
- Support AIAG-VDA Step 2: Structure Analysis
Diagram Availability by FMEA Type
| Diagram | DFMEA | PFMEA | FMEA-MSR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Process Flow | — | Yes | — |
| Function Net | Yes | Yes | — |
| Failure Net | Yes | Yes | — |
| Block/Boundary | Yes | — | — |
| P-Diagram | Yes | — | — |
Best Practices
- Build the Structure Tree first — Most diagrams are generated from structure elements and functions
- Define functions on every element — The Function Net only shows elements that have functions defined
- Link failure modes across levels — The Failure Net is most valuable when cause-effect chains are connected
- Use diagrams in reviews — Visual representations help cross-functional teams understand the analysis
- Export for documentation — Use the refresh/export controls to capture diagrams for reports
What's Next?
- Structure Tree — Build the hierarchy that powers these diagrams
- FMEA Worksheet — Edit failure modes referenced in the diagrams
- Advanced FMEA — Overview of DFMEA, PFMEA, and FMEA-MSR