Support function definition

[Blaz123]

Hi all,

could you please help me, what does Support function really means?

This is definition out of IATF:

Support function

Non-production activity (conducted on site or at a remote location) that supports one (or more) manufacturing sites of the same organization


But in real life, what word support in upper definition really mean? What kind of support must be received, that we can talk about support function?

 

[AMIT BALLAL]

If you receive any support from any other plant, it can be considered as support. Such support can be related to sales, marketing, training, warehousing, top management, purchasing, etc.

You'll find the following threads useful regarding this topic (you'll also find these and other similar threads at the bottom of the page):
Auditing of Support Function
Remote support - IATF allowed words defined?
IATF 16949 - Audit of Remote Location/Support Site and IT

 

[Blaz123]

Hi Amit,

thanks for reply.

But again, what does support really mean? Is support, that support function provide you manuals, blank forms, process definition,... Or is support already this, that you send them an email, where are you asking them for some help and the `support function` help you on some issue.

 

[AMIT BALLAL]

IMHO, for IATF other than manufacturing, all other processes can be considered support processes. E.g. Purchasing, stores, maintenance, etc.

Support "function" word is used, when such support process is located at another plant. If you receive certain help on any issue for the time being, it is not counted as a support function. But if another plant is responsible for carrying out a certain activity, that plant is considered a Supporting location and that activity is called a support function (If that plant is already certified/seeking certification to IATF16949:2016. If not, it is considered as remote support & location). If you show such support during IATF certification, it means that the plant will be audited for that support, not your plant.

 

[Blaz123]

In our case, we are corporate company, where our division has own purchase process which is more or less independent, than we also have corporate purchase. Everything related to our division purchase is managed by our own purchase department, process of purchase is defined by us, supplier manuals are defined by us, suppliers are selected and evaluated by us, price negotiations are done by us....But in other case, we receive some documentation which we need to use from corporate purchase and some KPIs must be reported to corporate purchase. Is this then support function for us or not?

 

[AMIT BALLAL]

In such a case It's up to you to decide whether to show "Corporate purchase" support or not since your plant is responsible to comply with all requirements (as per the details shared by you).
If there were some requirements being met by such a corporate purchase function, then it would've been needed to show such support, which doesn't seem as needed in your case.

 

[Sebastian]

Please read this, especially my comments.

 

[qusys]

In our case, we are corporate company, where our division has own purchase process which is more or less independent, than we also have corporate purchase. Everything related to our division purchase is managed by our own purchase department, process of purchase is defined by us, supplier manuals are defined by us, suppliers are selected and evaluated by us, price negotiations are done by us....But in other case, we receive some documentation which we need to use from corporate purchase and some KPIs must be reported to corporate purchase. Is this then support function for us or not?

For IATF, in my opinion ,yes. In the overall QMS process map, communication flows with central procurement should be evidenced.

 

[Ed Panek]

From a high level Support executes pre defined plans and makes tactical (not strategic) decisions to meet objectives.

 

[Steve Prevette]

To me, the phrase "non-production activity" in the IATF covers it. Or one may look at Lean and "non-value-added". Such as:

I googled "What are the 3 types of activities in lean?" and it replied:

To help identify areas of waste, a common practice is to break down a process, grouping activities into three categories:

• Value-Added Activities;
• Necessary Non Value-Added Activities;
• Waste.

For myself (and my role as a support activity) was primarily in the Necessary evil category. Though some of my activities - IF IMPLEMENTED - could add value.

So I'd put anyone who does not actually touch or manipulate the product are Support. Procurement, HR, Quality, Safety, Planners, Schedulers, Financials would be support. One could even put management in the support category. Anyone who is in support should be able to state what their role is in adding value (or preventing loss of value) to the product, in my opinion.