If you are an engineer or a manager from a company which has not before had to address the system Ford, GM and Chrysler uses for product development and introduction, you will find the APQP process to be a structured system. QS-9000 (now IATF 16949) and the related manuals such as the APQP manual were developed by the AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group). The AIAG its self was formed by ‘the big three’ to try to standardize this process.
If you worked in an automotive supplier environment other than as a supplier to Ford, GM and/or Chrysler you will probably understand some of the mechanisms but not the specifics required by APQP - such as the part submission process (including the ‘warrant’).
In this presentation I will try to explain the relationships of the APQP ‘Phases’ as well as the required standard documentation (such as the control plan and the PPAP Warrant). In addition I will try to address some specific documentation requirements including the FMEAs, the process flow diagram and the process control chart.
You should also be aware of the other manuals: the MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) manual, the FMEA manual, the SPC (Statistical Process Control) manual and the PPAP (Production Process Approval Process) manual.