Major and Minor Nonconformances - What is the difference between Major and Minor?

[Kenneth Czar]

Hello Guys,

We have done our audit...when can we say if it is major or minor conformance.As per understanding ,major NC will be raised if it will affect to the total breakdown of process.

 

[Jen Kirley]

Hello Guys,

We have done our audit...when can we say if it is major or minor conformance.As per understanding ,major NC will be raised if it will affect to the total breakdown of process.

You understand right, about major NC. A minor NC is one where procedures aren't followed, but the process isn't deemed broken.

It can also be declared in cases like: where there is no procedure but the system requires one; and where safety of personnel or environment is threatened, such as in an improperly cleaned chemical spill.

A bunch of minors, either being found at the same time, repeating or as a string of minors in the same process, can add up to a major at some point, the point which must be "defined" somehow by the auditing group.

The definitions' discussions infer the definitions are subject to surprising subjectivity. Here are a couple of sites I found that talk about it:

https://www.asqsandiego.org/articles/auditdecisionmaking.htm

Nonconformance vs. Nonconformity

I hope this helps!

 

[vivxpt]

Re: Major and minor nonconformances - What is the difference?

Dear Sir
Thanks for such a nice thread & ans.
Me also want to understant the line between major / minor / Observation

But i have a query does it is also applicalble to Internal Audit (8.2.2)


Thanks & regards
vivek

 

[Stijloor]

Re: Major and minor nonconformances - What is the difference?

Dear Sir
Thanks for such a nice thread & ans.
Me also want to understant the line between major / minor / Observation

But i have a query does it is also applicalble to Internal Audit (8.2.2)


Thanks & regards
vivek

Vivek,

For the purpose of internal audits, you do not have to differentiate between Minor and Major nonconformities.

Hope this clarifies.

Stijloor.

 

[Colin]

Re: Major and minor nonconformances - What is the difference?

Personally I would not assign grades of major/minor to internal audit nonconformities though I do differentiate between N/C and observation.

Why would you want to grade them major or minor? More importantly, what do you expect to see done differently with a major compared to a minor? Probably resolve it more quickly, that can be done by putting a shorter timescale on the completion date.

As for observations, I like to use them to highlight areas for improvement or to point out a situation where there is potential for a nonconformity. Either way, observations should be for the auditee's benefit, not the auditor's. The main difference between n/c and obs is that the auditee has the option to decline the observation.

 

[Sorin]

Re: Major and minor nonconformances - What is the difference?

edit...not funny....

 

[Stijloor]

Re: Major and minor nonconformances - What is the difference?

It may not be that hard to "Google", and it may be the way to find some stuff, but folks come here to find answers to specific questions. That, and the great people who participate and share their knowledge, has contributed to the unbelievable success of this site.....

Stijloor.

 

[Sorin]

Re: Major and minor nonconformances - What is the difference?

It may not be that hard to "Google", and it may be the way to find some stuff, but folks come here to find answers to specific questions. That, and the great people who participate and share their knowledge, has contributed to the unbelievable success of this site.....

Stijloor.

The first 2 hits from that search are from this board....

Edit: I just saw that some1 edited my post...was it offensive? It was pointing to 2 previous thread on the SAME subject and same question....

Edit2: Not to mention that the search method was quite funny...