Defined material specifications and equipment requirements.Completed design review and verification.Resulting outcomes from work in this phase include: This is also where a product feasibility assessment comes into play. APQP Phase 2: Product Design and DevelopmentĬompleting product design is the focus of this phase. The output of this work includes product design, reliability, and quality goals. The quality program needed to create the product as specified can then be defined. Planning activities include gathering necessary data to define what the customer wants and then using the information to hash out product characteristics. In this APQP phase, planning is directed at understanding the customer’s needs and product expectations. When customer demands require the introduction of a new product or an overhaul of an existing one, preliminary planning becomes front and center, even before discussions of product design or redesign. APQP Phase 1: Planning and Program Definition Let’s examine each of these phases in more detail. Production Launch, Assessment, and Improvement.Product Planning and Quality Program Definition.

The aim is to create a product quality plan for developing and manufacturing products that meet customer requirements.

5 Phases of APQP: The Nuts and BoltsĪccording to the American Society for Quality, Automotive Division, APQP is a structured process that includes critical tasks from concept approval through production. Since then, APQP has gained momentum and has sparked interest among manufacturers in many industries. Guidelines were established in the early ’90s to ensure APQP protocols were followed in a standardized format. Because supply chains are important in automotive manufacturing, the intent was to make sure supplier partners met customer quality requirements for each component supplied. General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler all had an APQP deployment and saw the need to come together to create a common core of product quality-planning principles for suppliers. History of APQPĭuring the late ’80s, APQP programs were in use by major players in the automotive industry. In turn, risk management leads to greater quality control and business success. Following the APQP process can help minimize these risks.

Production processes often have inherent risks, such as process failures. Having a clear understanding of what customers want, need, and expect in a product and then planning accordingly will ensure customer product expectations are met in every way.Įven if you have a quality management system in place, APQP is worth the effort, especially if you are in the business of manufacturing new or improved products. Listening to the voice of the customer is what Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) is all about.

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