A practical sequence for electronic failure analysis

Capture the observed behaviour, the circumstances of detection and the operating history. Establish whether the problem is persistent or intermittent, what checks have already been performed and whether handling or previous testing could have changed the specimen.

Record identification and traceability before intrusive work. Where available, a representative functioning unit can provide a useful comparison; its relevance to the failed population should be explained.

Visual inspection, documentation and targeted electrical checks should inform subsequent analysis. Non-destructive techniques can help localise the problem before decapsulation, sectioning or other destructive methods are considered.

Each technique should answer a specific question. Imaging a feature at higher resolution does not necessarily reveal the cause of the system symptom. Measurements, sample preparation and test conditions must be recorded well enough to interpret the findings.

Distinguish the observed damage from the physical failure mechanism and the underlying design, process or operational cause. Compare plausible explanations against the combined electrical, physical and historical evidence.

State which hypotheses were supported, which were contradicted and which remain unresolved. Corrective actions should address the proposed cause and include a verification plan. When the evidence is insufficient, a bounded conclusion with a focused next step is more useful than unwarranted certainty.