posted 18 September 1998 07:25 AM               

BASICALLY
A Controlled copy is always at the correct/latest revision level. When a change is made, it is retreived and replaced.

An Uncontrolled copy is a bit harder to get you hands around, and is where the variation comes in. Other than it is not replaced when a new rev is issued.....it could mean anything.

What you need to do is define each for your purpose, and control accordingly.

posted 24 September 1998 07:48 AM               

You need to clearly define/document what when where and how....and cover the requirements of the standard for approval and retreival in that definition or document.
But if the control is clear and there is evidence that it works...then it should be acceptable. But beware....you may not be seeing the forest for the trees.

posted 05 October 1998 11:26 AM               

With both, you must be able to prove/verifiy revision level upon audit. The base line is how do you know you're using the right document, and you need to be using the most current verision at all times because most of what you do affects quality. So whether you call the document controlled or uncontrolled you're still sutck making sure that you have the correct revision before use.

The difference is how good is your distribution system and how trustworthy is it? this is the realy difference, in my opinion , between controlled and uncontrolled documents. One you can trust because it is monitored and controlled, the other you can't so you verify before use.