Abstract: In order to increase the overall performance of existing product and realize the technical innovation and improvement, combined with the practical situation of product development, a novel design method based on failure modes and effects analysis(FMEA) as well as theory of inventive problem solving(TIPS) is presented in this paper.First of all, system function diagram is used for function analysis, and the process of problem identification based on FMEA is proposed, including failure modes confirmation, failure modes analysis and risk evaluation.Second, the problem solving process using TIPS according to the grades of risk evaluation is described.Finally, a prototype system has been developed and an instance is given to demonstrate the practicability of the system.