I have TMC Japan coming to pay a visit and audit us. I have been unable to get TMC Japan to tell us the scope of the audit, but ma guessing it will involve process verification activities.

Anyone else been through this?

David - Process verification will be a major part of the audit as will product approval (incoming). Their expectations will run along the same lines as QS but don't expect them to even acknowledge a similarity.

They will have an audit plan and will ask you questions as they walk through it. Let your system speak for itself. You will be surprised how well it meets their requirements. If they do come up with anything, they will explain how it should fit in and give you plenty of time and help in implementing it.

Relax and enjoy the day.

Dave

It has been my experience that the "process" is the most important thing in these audits. It's not a paper trail but process evaluation. I have been through a few of these with Hitachi, Kikukawa and Toyota. All of them were more of a process improvement review than anything else.
I learned a lot from them.
:thedeal:

Toyota's plan appears to be to check on the adequacy (according to them) of our process control at all stages of the product from raw materials to delivery.