Hello,
I am confused about ducument numbering. Does each individual doc, procedure, form, and work instruction for each part and/ or process need its own unique number?
If possible please give a sample of several.

Thanks!

It may vary with different standards but ISO 9001 simply states in clause 4.2.3 e) - 'that documents remain legible and identifiable'.

Numbering them is one way to do that but there are others e.g. by name, that may suit you better. As in most cases, do what suits your requirements best. :)

Numbering them is one way to do that ...

Too many times we get caught up in this trap....that is we think all documents need to be numbered. As you said...it is one way to do that....but not required.

Hello,
I am confused about ducument numbering. Does each individual doc, procedure, form, and work instruction for each part and/ or process need its own unique number?
If possible please give a sample of several.

Thanks!

Substitute IDENTIFIER for NUMBER. Does each document need a unique identifier, I would say YES.
You just need to be able to define how the documents will be identified. This will help in cataloging to documents, training employees, revising documents as needed, etc.

Phil

Thank you for your responses.
I need a bit more clarification, though.
Lets say I have 5 part models that run on 5 different machines. I need a work instruction that is similar for all, but has individual charistics. Can I create a work instruction template and label it ex. PED-09-0001. This same label will be on all work instructions, but the specific work instruction will have the model number in the heading?

Does anyone have a master document list they could share?

Thank you for your responses.
I need a bit more clarification, though.
Lets say I have 5 part models that run on 5 different machines. I need a work instruction that is similar for all, but has individual charistics. Can I create a work instruction template and label it ex. PED-09-0001. This same label will be on all work instructions, but the specific work instruction will have the model number in the heading?

Does anyone have a master document list they could share?In term of work instructions, I suggest you concentrate on a generic "Control Plan" which identifies special and/or critical characteristics of each model which should be achieved at various points in processing to assure continued processing can result in a conforming part. (that is, if the finished part is supposed to be exactly 3 inches long, a piece measuring 2-3/4 inches long early in the processing is not likely to grow to 3 inches and any further processing on a 2-3/4 inch part is simply waste.)

For the sake of example: Assume the part is a threaded fastener. Regardless of model number, each model has the same (identical) physical characteristics of length, thread, head type - the only difference between models being material:
1) titanium
2) brass
3) alloy steel (to be heat treated)
4) aircraft grade aluminum alloy
5) 316L Stainless Steel

Once you have the generic Control Plan for the part (or model number), you can make specific Control Plans for each machine working on each model of the part to encompass any idiosyncrasies such as turning and feed speeds, coolant, cutting tool material and design, etc.

In regard to document numbering requirements, I have written on this general topic before. Take some time to read through these posts listed below to decide whether they help you focus on the real problem you are facing. If not, keep coming back until you get an answer which will help you accomplish your task.
The list of posts:
http://elsmar.com/Forums/showpost.php?p=165105&postcount=8
http://elsmar.com/Forums/showpost.php?p=143655&postcount=6
http://elsmar.com/Forums/showpost.php?p=133508&postcount=14
http://elsmar.com/Forums/showpost.php?p=110688&postcount=8
http://elsmar.com/Forums/showpost.php?p=110557&postcount=5

If you really want to LEARN how to number and control documents, one thing you probably should avoid is copying what someone else has written. You will have a better feel of the topic if you understand it well enough to create your own process which will work with YOUR organization.

Thank you for your responses.
I need a bit more clarification, though.
Lets say I have 5 part models that run on 5 different machines. I need a work instruction that is similar for all, but has individual charistics. Can I create a work instruction template and label it ex. PED-09-0001. This same label will be on all work instructions, but the specific work instruction will have the model number in the heading?

Does anyone have a master document list they could share?

Any identification scheme that makes sure that if I am working on Part "X" on Machine "Y" that I am using the correct document is just fine. As I seem to be saying with increasing frequency, the purpose of the document control system is to assure that the correct information is being used and out-of -date or incorrect informatio n is not used. If it accomplishes these objectives for your organization, it is good and compliant. If it doesn't, then it is not compliant. If it is more complicated than it needs to be, it may be compliant, but there will be problems with individuals trying to short cut it. Make it as simple as possible and still meet the goal.

Geoff Withnell

Hello,
I am confused about ducument numbering. Does each individual doc, procedure, form, and work instruction for each part and/ or process need its own unique number?
If possible please give a sample of several.

Thanks!

I'm not sure where the other poster were taking this, but my answer is no - you don't have to have any numbering!:mg:

If each document is clearly different (because the work instruction says it's for 'X' and another says 'Y', the forms are titled differently, etc) then no numbering system is necessary. IMHO numbering systems are developed for bureacracies of multiple documents most of which aren't required, with a bit of thought.:yes:

But then, I'm tired of doing the same stuff that we've been doing since ISO 'came out' and not getting effective systems!:notme:

[quote=AndyN;234879]If each document is clearly different (because the work instruction says it's for 'X' and another says 'Y', the forms are titled differently, etc) then no numbering system is necessary. IMHO numbering systems are developed for bureacracies of multiple documents most of which aren't required, with a bit of thought.quote]

Right on - don't use numbers

The only reason that ever made sense was back in the bad old days of DOS 6.0 when a file name could only be 6 (or 7?) characters.

Now thanks to Bill Gates I can call a file "Part set up card for Chrysler part 1234ABC when it runs on line 8 but not line 6 or 11 with red paint and blue polka dots...and on and on and on."

As opposed to 2-45560-000 rev 99AX

Then I can search for words not numbers like a human was meant to do...

But it just so much fun to write a work instruction for document numbering, even if no one will follow or understand it....

Thank you for your responses.
I need a bit more clarification, though.
Lets say I have 5 part models that run on 5 different machines. I need a work instruction that is similar for all, but has individual charistics. Can I create a work instruction template and label it ex. PED-09-0001. This same label will be on all work instructions, but the specific work instruction will have the model number in the heading?

Does anyone have a master document list they could share?


Name it whatever makes sense to you and the people who will use it. The name or numbers are just so they can locate the document. Make it easy and make it clear.

Thanks for clearing up that issue. It is very helpful. I have always been taught to use numbering, but no one could explain why. I guess that didn't know either.