Questions on APQP - Dates prior to implementation

I have a few questions on APQP that I hope you all can help enlighten on.

1) We are currently implementing QS 9000 in our company. However, all our products to our customers have been purchased about 1 year ago. As such, many datelines in the APQP checklist (5 phases) have dates that is before the APQP implementation date. Will it be still feasible if we continue with the APQP process but the dates reflected is before its implementation?

2) Because of dilemma 1), many people are questioning the usefulness of APQP. How can I convince them otherwise?

3) During the actual audit, how will the auditor conduct audit on APQP? Will he/she just look at the docoments/records?

Please help!

Daniel.

[Howard Atkins]

Originally posted by Daniel:


1) We are currently implementing QS 9000 in our company. However, all our products to our customers have been purchased about 1 year ago.

Do you mean that you have not sold any parts for 1 year?

As such, many datelines in the APQP checklist (5 phases) have dates that is before the APQP implementation date.

You mean the implementaion of you of APQP.

Will it be still feasible if we continue with the APQP process but the dates reflected is before its implementation?

I do not believe that you have to work retroactivly. What has been done is done. Look forward.


2) Because of dilemma 1), many people are questioning the usefulness of APQP. How can I convince them otherwise?

No connection - APQP is for the new products.

3) During the actual audit, how will the auditor conduct audit on APQP? Will he/she just look at the docoments/records?

This depends- the results of APQP are the PPAP. Have you submitted PPAP's on the parts sold.
Start now on new projects


Daniel.

[Rick Goodson]

Many of the activities in APQP are things that well run companies would be doing anyway. Those may well have happened before you decide to actively engage in the APQP process. Dates prior to implementation should not be an issue.