First Part Approval - Large Construction Vehicles

[HelenMagdich]

First Part Approval

Hi everyone!!
Curious as to this:
We are 9K2K and we produce large construction vehicles. Our D&D process, I feel, is lacking in a first part approval process. The problem I'm currently encountering exists between departments, and interacting them so that purchasing is not bringing parts in and putting them out on the floor without engineering's approval upon their initial arrival. It's happening all the time. If the packages are marked to the attention of the engineering dept, they are segregated to the first piece approval area. We don't have a defined procedure for D&D,I'm working on one now. Does anyone have any suggestions on controlling this?

 

[Kevin Mader]

Hello Helen,

If nobody has welcomed you yet, Welcome to the Cove!!

I’m glad to hear that you are currently in the writing phase to correct this deficiency. Me thinks that this was missed as part of your initial registration (section 7.4.3) and a potential landmine come surveillance time. As an interim step, you may want to hold a meeting with the respective department heads to confirm an informal strategy and operational approach until you have worked out the formal details (with their input of course) in a released procedure.

Regards,

Kevin

 

[Wes Bucey]

Kevin is right on the money in this one (good old ASQ guy that he is.)

I also think this should be the subject of your organization's contract review procedure. Here's a summary of mine (from the index appended to our QManual):
"Contract Review Procedure
A systematic review of a contract (whether between us and customer or between us and supplier) to determine all aspects relating to identity, quality, price, and delivery plus adherence to regulatory matters have been reviewed and approved by both parties to the contract. The main purpose is to eliminate errors or ambiguities in instructions or terms which could result in nonconforming goods being delivered."

Also consider a second Procedure:
"Verification of Purchased Product
We recognize and provide procedures for two types of material we buy for incorporation into our finished product

(1) proprietary material produced and sold to multiple buyers by a supplier (We ensure product meets our design parameters and specifications prior to purchase. We incorporate clauses into the purchase contract for notice prior to delivery to us if the design is revised or the particular lot was subject of an internal corrective action procedure at the supplier. We audit the production from time to time to ensure the quality procedures of supplier remain compliant.)

(2) material custom produced to our design and specifications (We ensure supplier's Control Plan for production meets our requirements. We inspect and approve supplier's facilities, capability, and capacity before and during production to assure compliance. If we change design, we ensure supplier builds to the new design to prevent production or delivery of obsolete goods.)"

I hope this helps you get a concept of the overall picture.

 

[Kevin Mader]

Hello Wes,

Welcome to the Cove!! I'm glad you found us here! I'm sure the folks here will find your input to be thought provoking and for many of us, right up our alley!!

Kevin