# Optimization of PFMEA Team Composition in the Automotive Industry Using the IPF-RADAR Approach
## 1 Introduction  
In automotive industry companies, the team responsible for conducting Process Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (PFMEA), commonly referred to as the PFMEA team, represents one of the most important multidisciplinary teams within the organization, as its work can significantly impact the reliability of the production process. Regardless of the type of product or the supplier level within the automotive supply chain, the PFMEA team is an essential and vital link in achieving the strategic and operational objectives of the production process. The responsibilities and tasks of the PFMEA team, as well as those of the team leader (facilitator), are focused on the preparation, execution, and evaluation of the implemented PFMEA activities. In addition to planning and coordinating activities related to PFMEA, team members often perform other tasks associated with their primary job roles. Only in large and complex business systems is the PFMEA team composed of members for whom this role is their primary position. In most cases, participation in the PFMEA team is an additional responsibility alongside their main job tasks. PFMEA team members should possess technical expertise, be familiar with the workstations or production lines they are analyzing, be capable of effectively perceiving and identifying potential problems, and be communicative and open to collaboration with employees. The application of PFMEA in the automotive industry is mandatory according to the IATE 16949:2016 standard [1]. To ensure uniformity and consistency in the implementation of PFMEA, the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and the German Association of the Automotive Industry (Ger. Verband der Automobilindustrie, VDA) developed a joint handbook [2], which serves as a basis for applying not only PFMEA but also its design-focused version (DFMEA) and the version for monitoring and system response (FMEA-MSR). The AIAG&VDA Handbook provides certain guidelines and recommendations for the formation and work of PFMEA teams. However, it does not strictly define who should or can be a team member. The recommendations suggest that the core team should consist of [2] a facilitator (team leader), a process/manufacturing engineer, an ergonomic engineer, a process validation engineer, a quality/reliability engineer, and other personnel responsible for process development and planning. The same handbook also proposes who may be part of the extended team, which is involved as needed and does not regularly participate in PFMEA meetings. It is recommended that occasional members include [2] a design engineer, technical experts, a service engineer, a project manager, maintenance staff, line workers, purchasing personnel, suppliers, and other individuals who may be relevant to specific aspects of the production process. As the composition of the core PFMEA team is not strictly defined in the handbook, the subject of this study is the optimization of its composition, disregarding the formal positions of potential candidates within the company's hierarchy and focusing solely on their skills and characteristics. The aim of this research is to evaluate and rank candidates for inclusion in the core PFMEA team by applying a multi-attribute approach in a Pythagorean fuzzy environment. In this way, a mathematically grounded and reliable tool is provided to company management for solving the problem under consideration. The criteria for evaluating candidates are based on the recommended characteristics of the team members and facilitator outlined in the handbook [2], which are as follows: (1) knowledge of the considered process/product, (2) experience working in a PFMEA team, (3) interdisciplinary expertise, and (4) communication skills and teamwork abilities. The selected criteria were chosen in collaboration with the management of the company where the case study was conducted. The company's management considered these four criteria to be the most effective for evaluating potential candidates.