What indicates a more severe risk in a Risk Priority Number assessment?

In the context of a Risk Priority Number (RPN) assessment, a higher value signifies a more severe risk. The RPN is calculated by multiplying three factors: the severity of a potential failure, the likelihood of its occurrence, and the ability to detect it before it causes harm. Each of these components typically takes a numeric value within a defined range.

When the RPN value is high, it reflects either a significant severity of the risk, a higher likelihood that the risk will occur, or a lower chance of detecting the risk, indicating that the risk is substantial and should be prioritized for mitigation. This helps organizations focus their resources on the most critical risks that could lead to safety issues or project failures, ultimately ensuring better management and safety practices.

Lower values, on the other hand, represent a reduced risk severity, likelihood, or detection capability, suggesting that these risks may not require immediate attention or resources.