Example of the RPN and its sensitivity to small changes10
| Scenario | Severity | Probability | Detectability | RPN |
| A | 3 | 8 | 8 | 192 |
| 4 | 8 | 8 | 256 | |
| B | 8 | 3 | 8 | 192 |
| 9 | 3 | 8 | 216 |
Small variations in one parameter can lead to very different effects on the RPN, depending on the values of the other factors. A 1-point change in the severity in scenario A causes a 64-point change in the RPN, whereas for scenario B, a 1-point change in severity causes only a 24-point change. RPN, risk priority number.