Quality plans - How much detail is required? What is typically included?

I'm sorry if this is too general for this list, but I have a question about Quality Plans.
The majority of Quality Plans I have seen have simply mirrored a company's Quality Manual and included high level information (Q Policy, Doc. Control, Corr. Action, etc.).
I believe Quality Plans should be more specific and just refernce the higher level stuff if neccessary. I would like to write a Quality Plan that is more detailed and indicates specific product inspections, how nonconfomances are handled (MRB approvals?), what information will be reported, etc.

What is the norm lately for writing quailty plans? What do organizations find most useful?

Thanks for any feedback,
Daryl

[Spaceman Spiff]

I find using the AIAG Control Plan format extremely useful (one of only a few useful things from AIAG!)

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Consider what your goals are with writing this and any other document. What do you want to achieve ? Better process control ? Then the focus should be at identifying the critical process variables and how do you keep them in line. Improved understanding from the people ? then get away from extremely technical terms (for example instead of "frecuency" write "how often", etc.) Comply with customer requirements ? then ask them if they mandate or prefer a specific format but be careful to customize to your needs without loosing the essence.
A final warning - think twice if you want to over complicate this stuff - start easy and be very focused.

Regards

Gus Gutierrez
gutieg@yahoo.com

I suggest the basic form of a quality plan should be the 'process flowchart' which shows how a project passes through the organisation. Linking the procedure number to the flowchart gives a more extensive overview which may be used as the basis of second party audits. These audits, performed by the customer, relevant to his contract, are probably the prime reason for the existence of the quality plan.

The most effective control plans I've seen and what I think you are looking for is the methodology used by the automotive industry. It begins with creating a flow diagram, from that creating a PFMEA, followed by a control plan. The AIAG manuals referenced ealier are excellent.

I think you should use a Process Chart as means of your quality plan where every information has been in detailed..i could show you a sample, just email me at
love_1436@yahoo.com

[barb butrym]

A process flow, indicating control points (Critical to Quality...CTQ) and detailed criteria..pointing to process procedures and systems as required. Most people use a part specific router/traveler as the output of a quality plan, supported by the input that was used to create it.

[Andy Bassett]

I cant offer much help, just maybe a bit of commiseration.

I also find that when i right-up the Quality Planning phase i am just simply repeating what i have said in my Corrective Action or Inspection or Process Control procedure.

It has always seemed to me to be a bit of a useless element.


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Andy B