This paper aims at combining the service blueprint and Failure Modes and Effects
Analysis (FMEA) to assist the service designers in designing a failure-free service
system. In the proposed approach, a service blueprint of a service system should
be, first, developed to identify the potential fail points and failure modes for both
the front office and the back office service activities. Based on the blueprint, the
FMEA tool is, then, applied to prioritize the critical potential failure modes of the
service system and take the required actions to ensure the service design
performance. An example regarding to a hypermarket service system was used to
demonstrate the proposed approach. The example not only identifies the most
potential failure modes but also provides the effects and possible causes for each
of the most critical failure modes. This implies that the preventive actions for
these failure modes from occurring should be the top focus in the service design
stage of the example company. Some managerial implications are also provided.