Supplier (Vendor) Self-Assessment Survey

[SteelWoman]

We utilize a Vendor Self-Assessment survey when considering a new vendor - it was developed as one of those typical documents that goes through each element of QS and asks, for instance, "Does the organization provide for control of calibrated instruments?" That kind of thing.

Has anyone yet developed one of these for TS? I'm loathe to re-invent the wheel if someone's already found one of these and is willing to share?

 

[Icy Mountain]

Steel,
Here's our 7.4.1 process doc and the survey. They kinda go together. Note that this is not a couple regurgitation by section. Second paragraph of 7.4.1 applies re criteria shall be established.. doesn't define criteria. Disclaimer: our system is not yet registered.

 

[Mike S.]

SW,

Do your vendors a favor and if they are certified don't make them go thru the whole survey if lots of the survey questions repeat the standard's requirements. And keep it reasonably short -- I (and some folks I know) have had these things come to me at 10 pages and 100 questions (and they still do an on-site survey!), and I don't know about you but I think that is waaay too much. Finally, IMO too much focus is often put on vendor surveys -- be sure to look at past performance, etc. too as it can save both you and them lots of work and waste. JMO.

 

[Rob Nix]

I agree with Mike on this one, for a couple of reasons:

1) The whole point to vendor development is to ensure the value of incoming products and services. If their history and reputation are good, don't waste their time and yours on a time consuming audit. This is especially true if they are ISO registered (third party assessment means you don't have to).

2) Self-Assessments are only an exercise in creativity. Your supplier will obviously rate himself high, but not too high as to appear fabricated. They will not put any extra thought into it, and they will assume you won't either ("they're just doing it to pass an ISO requirement" the supplier assumes).

However, if the vendor begins to show signs of poor performance (e.g. late deliveries or non-conformities) then your Corrective Action Process should be used. If problems become chronic, THEN you may use a simple audit format (one where you actually perform an on site audit) to either help them improve or remove them from your list. This, IMO, is a last resort.

If you are choosing a vendor to use for the first time, and they are not ISO registered, then get information from their other customers first before determining if an audit is in order

IN ANY CASE, "Self-Assessments" do not seem to add any value at all.

Sorry for being so windy.

 

[Sam]

We utilize a Vendor Self-Assessment survey when considering a new vendor - it was developed as one of those typical documents that goes through each element of QS and asks, for instance, "Does the organization provide for control of calibrated instruments?" That kind of thing.

Has anyone yet developed one of these for TS? I'm loathe to re-invent the wheel if someone's already found one of these and is willing to share?

You don't need to re-invent the wheel. Use the assessment checklist prepared by the IATF and offered by AIAG.

 

[SteelWoman]

Hey all, you get NO argument from me that self-assessments are a waste. I even wrote it OUT of my TS procedure, but I did want one on "stand by" in case I got into a situation where I needed a quick way to figure out how CLOSE a non-certified vendor might be to having a system in place. We ALWAYS used these #*$&! things in QS - I hope to never see one again except in rare cases under TS.

Thanks - I LIKED the two attached documents - thanks bunches!

 

[Sam]

Hey Steelw, I like your bike. Are you a rider?

 

[SteelWoman]

That's WEIRD, tried to reply to your post and got a warning message that I can only post every 60 seconds? Huh? Never saw that before.

Anyway, to answer your question, yes - a 600cc Honda Silver Wing. You ride?

 

[Sam]

That's WEIRD, tried to reply to your post and got a warning message that I can only post every 60 seconds? Huh? Never saw that before.

Anyway, to answer your question, yes - a 600cc Honda Silver Wing. You ride?

Yes. Yamaha 1100 custom. We just got back from a 1200 mile trip through Arkansa & Missouri.

 

[SteelWoman]

That must have been AWESOME!!!! I'm JEALOUS as can be!!

Rider Magazine this month has a nice spread on riding the Natchez Trace. A section of it can be picked up about 40 minutes from here, so I'm contemplating that for my next vacation ride. It's 400 miles long without any stop signs, winds through some of the prettiest country. sigh...... a long way from my desk right now!