Let’s take a look at the above inputs and outputs. Remember that the outputs from one stage are necessarily inputs to the next phase. That does not mean that in your company you will be able to look at the APQP and Control Plan manual requirements and immediately be able to literally translate the requirements. An example would be the characteristics matrix. Some companies do not have a discreet, stand alone characteristics matrix. So when you are reading through the APQP and Control Plan manual and you come to a place where it refers to a characteristics matrix you have to look at where your company documents critical / special characteristics.
When looking at the inputs and outputs one has to use their understanding of how their company systems are set up. Design goals are an output of Phase 1. What inputs will determine, at least in part, the design goals are mixed. You would probably use various inputs from the customer, including Voice of the Customer, and the Business Plan (to name a couple of information inputs for determining design goals). Reliability (MTBF) may a design characteristic goal. Some are relatively evident. Some may not be so evident. Let us again step back and remember that the lists of inputs and outputs may contain ‘requirements’ not applicable to your product. An example is DFA. Although listed as an output from Phase 2 in the manual, your company may not do DFA.
‘Phase’ Inputs & Outputs
Voice of the Customer
Market Research
Historical Warranty and Quality Information
Team Experience
Business Plan and Marketing Strategy
Product/Process Benchmark Data
Product/Process Assumptions
Product Reliability Studies
Customer Inputs
Service
Design Goals
Reliability and Quality Goals
Preliminary Bill of Material
Preliminary Process Flow Chart
Preliminary Listing of Special Product and Process Characteristics
Product Assurance Plan
Management Support
Phase 1
Phase 2
Outputs by Design Responsible Activity
Outputs by Advanced Product Quality Planning Team
Design FMEA
DFM and DFA
Design for Manufacturability
Design for Assembly
Design Verification
Design Reviews
Prototype Build Control Plan
Engineering Drawings (including Math data)
Engineering Specifications
Material Specifications
Drawing and Specification Changes
New equipment, tooling and facilities requirements
Special product and process characteristics
Gage and testing equipment requirements
Team feasibility commitment and management support
