Corrective Action Effectiveness

[magnasty]

Looking for input on how you measure the effectiveness of my correction action system. We issue a CAR, then the owner has 24 hours for containment, 5 days for the corrective action plan, then permanent correction action is due in 14 days.

I need idea on aging reports for each step (not necessarily the effectiveness of the corrective action). It would be nice to have a software package that spits out graphs and charts based on these inputs.

 

[Jim Wynne]

Looking for input on how you measure the effectiveness of my correction action system. We issue a CAR, then the owner has 24 hours for containment, 5 days for the corrective action plan, then permanent correction action is due in 14 days.

I need idea on aging reports for each step (not necessarily the effectiveness of the corrective action). It would be nice to have a software package that spits out graphs and charts based on these inputs.

How did you arrive at the timing for each step? Is it arbitrary? Not a good idea if that's the case. Closing a CA should take as long as it takes, assuming that there's a conscientious effort to get it done. If you have to create arbitrary deadlines in order to assure timely completion, you have a different problem that setting deadlines won't help. Also, if you have so many corrective actions going on that you think that spreadsheets, graphs and charts are necessary to keep track of them, that's another self-fulfilling prophecy.

 

[Kronos147]

I would measure how effective against recurrence. (Problem resolution)

 

[Bev D]

Jim is right - you are barking up the wrong tree. The purpose of corrective actions is to prevent recurrence. Putting any arbitrary time frame for closure is counter to that purpose. Truly effective corrective action systems require that you THINK and get involved in the corrective actions. Mere score keeping Will not help you.

 

[QA Nick]

My company has deadlines for responses to ensure timely action of the engaged parties (notably for containment, RCA, and ultimately creation of a plan and timeline for corrections). As for judging effectiveness.... well that depends on the very nature of the issues being addressed. As an example, the last CAR I worked on (organization not meeting a KPI - internal defect rate) has an expected closure date six months from now.

 

[Ninja]

My company has deadlines for responses to ensure timely action of the engaged parties (notably for containment, RCA, and ultimately creation of a plan and timeline for corrections). As for judging effectiveness.... well that depends on the very nature of the issues being addressed. As an example, the last CAR I worked on (organization not meeting a KPI - internal defect rate) has an expected closure date six months from now.

Easy to make a case for deadline for response from engaged party...maybe even for RCA and containment. (maybe...what if containment includes recall?)
Having agreement on a plan has to be a little looser depending on severity. A complex upgrade to address root cause should not be rushed.

Having a fixed timeline for implementation of all plans doesn't make much sense.

Having a fixed timeline for rating effectiveness after implementation is, as Bev said, "barking up the wrong tree". Some processes are continuous with 100pcs/minute...fast. Others are things you do only every 6mnths.