IATF NC - Contingency Planning

[gblythe]

Hi All,
Would appreciate your thoughts on a minor NC we picked up on a recent recert audit.

The auditor was not satisfied we comply with 6.1.2.3 - contingency plans. Specifically clause e - "periodically test the contingency plans for effectiveness (eg simulations where appropriate)"

We could demonstrate compliance with all other clauses, but the auditor was not happy with the lack of testing of our plans.
Our contingency plan is a top level document, focusing on major risks (factory burns down, severe flooding of a site, a main supplier goes bust, another Covid outbreak, etc). Smaller risks are managed through the FMEAs.

For many of the risks, it is impossible, or incredibly expensive to actually test the plan (eg ship tools to another site, buy from another supplier abroad, etc).
The auditor also drove the point that they must be tests and therefore proactive, not reactive. So any current actions wouldn't satisfy the requirement.

Can anyone share some real world advice on how we would go about testing for these major events without spending 5 figures?

 

[John C. Abnet]

Can anyone share some real world advice

Clause 6.1.2.3 section e)...
"...(e.g. simulations, as appropriate)"


Hope this helps.
Be well.

 

[AMIT BALLAL]

As mentioned by @John C. Abnet , those tests can be simulations.

You can make a plan for contingency testing. And also determine method of testing.

For example, in the case of contingency of "Purchase from supplier abroad", you can just contact the supplier to check availability of required parts and to check the time it would take to reach your organization. If the material is available at their end and can reach your organization within required time, this contingency can be considered as working.

And if you had to use any contingency in case of any disruption, its results can also be used to demonstrate contingency testing.