Experience has shown that variation in the interpretation of APQP, Control Plans (CP), and PPAP in non-traditional parts manufacturing sectors causes significant waste throughout the supply chain. Suppliers get different interpretations of what is expected from customers, supplier quality engineers, auditors, and internally between departments.

Goal

To improve the applicability of APQP/CP/PPAP by clarifying requirements for specific sectors or commodities with significant differences in design and manufacturing operations. Provide a means for developing, documenting, and distributing clarifications. Clarifications may include changes in terminology, alternate requirements, or change in applicability.

Rules for successful sector requirements:

• Sector clearly defined.
• Broadly applicable across the sector and possibly beyond that.
• Sector consensus on agreement to use the revised definitions.
• OEM agreement, as applicable.

Method

Sector proposes clarifications indexed to the APQP/CP/PPAP requirements through the following process:

1. The sector identifies and justifies the need for clarification (typically initiated by a few motivated representatives).
2. The sector, to proceed with development of the guidance table, completes and submits a petition to AIAG using the on-line petition form.
3. AIAG reviews the petition and works with the author to prepare it for submission.
4. When all requirements are met, AIAG manages the review and approval process with the appropriate oversite team for the approval to start.
5. AIAG, or the appropriate sector association, conducts a call to action for volunteers and forms a team to draft the guidance table.
6. The sector team reaches consensus on the significant clauses in the APQP/CP/PPAP and develops the guidance table.
7. The sector team submits the draft guidance table to AIAG for review with the appropriate oversite team for disposition.
8. If rejected, AIAG provides feedback to the sector team.
9. If approved, return to sector team for stakeholder review and reconciliation of comments.
10. After final approval, AIAG announces and posts the guidance table as a free download.
11. Ongoing edits and periodic reviews are managed by AIAG.

Example of Completed Sector Specific Guidance Table

Sector: Electronics

1. Commodity: Semiconductors
2. Guidance Table: Summary of clarifications

Detailed explanations of the differences and instructions to address the APQP requirements:

• 2.1 - Design is generally dependent on the process. Therefore, the DFMEA may follow the PFMEA.
• 3.7 - See https://www.iatfglobaloversight.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IATF-16949-SIs-May-2022.pdf number 24

Final guidance must provide detailed explanations of the differences and instructions on how to address the APQP requirements