Posts: 3
From:Enfield, NS, CANADA
Registered: May 99

posted 10 January 2000 09:20 AM               

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I'm sorry if this is too general for this list, but I have a question about Quality Plans.
The majority of Quality Plans I have seen have simply mirrored a company's Quality Manual and included high level information (Q Policy, Doc. Control, Corr. Action, etc.).
I believe Quality Plans should be more specific and just refernce the higher level stuff if neccessary. I would like to write a Quality Plan that is more detailed and indicates specific product inspections, how nonconfomances are handled (MRB approvals?), what information will be reported, etc.

What is the norm lately for writing quailty plans? What do organizations find most useful?

Thanks for any feedback,
Daryl

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Posts: 64
From:FL
Registered: Mar 99

posted 10 January 2000 09:23 AM               

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I find using the AIAG Control Plan format extremely useful (one of only a few useful things from AIAG!)

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posted 10 January 2000 01:20 PM              

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Consider what your goals are with writing this and any other document. What do you want to achieve ? Better process control ? Then the focus should be at identifying the critical process variables and how do you keep them in line. Improved understanding from the people ? then get away from extremely technical terms (for example instead of "frecuency" write "how often", etc.) Comply with customer requirements ? then ask them if they mandate or prefer a specific format but be careful to customize to your needs without loosing the essence.
A final warning - think twice if you want to over complicate this stuff - start easy and be very focused.

Regards

Gus Gutierrez
[email protected]

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Posts: 120
From:Benalla, Victoria, Australia
Registered: Oct 1999

posted 10 January 2000 04:16 PM               

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I suggest the basic form of a quality plan should be the 'process flowchart' which shows how a project passes through the organisation. Linking the procedure number to the flowchart gives a more extensive overview which may be used as the basis of second party audits. These audits, performed by the customer, relevant to his contract, are probably the prime reason for the existence of the quality plan.

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Posts: 117
From:Auburn, NY
Registered:

posted 11 January 2000 08:01 AM               

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The most effective control plans I've seen and what I think you are looking for is the methodology used by the automotive industry. It begins with creating a flow diagram, from that creating a PFMEA, followed by a control plan. The AIAG manuals referenced ealier are excellent.

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Posts: 9
From:philippines
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 17 January 2000 10:48 PM               

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I think you should use a Process Chart as means of your quality plan where every information has been in detailed..i could show you a sample, just email me at
[email protected]

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Posts: 637
From:South Central Massachusetts
Registered:

posted 18 January 2000 07:26 AM               

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A process flow, indicating control points (Critical to Quality...CTQ) and detailed criteria..pointing to process procedures and systems as required. Most people use a part specific router/traveler as the output of a quality plan, supported by the input that was used to create it.

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Posts: 274
From:Donegal Ireland
Registered: Jun 1999

posted 20 January 2000 04:49 PM               

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I cant offer much help, just maybe a bit of commiseration.

I also find that when i right-up the Quality Planning phase i am just simply repeating what i have said in my Corrective Action or Inspection or Process Control procedure.

It has always seemed to me to be a bit of a useless element.

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Andy B

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Posts: 4119
From:West Chester, OH, USA
Registered:

posted 24 January 2000 12:14 PM               

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A very simple Quality Planing form (food for thought) is qa_plan.pdf at Elsmar.com/pdf_files/

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Posts: 120
From:Benalla, Victoria, Australia
Registered: Oct 1999

posted 07 February 2000 01:58 AM               

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There is a simplified approach to quality planning used as an 'Inspection & Test Plan' (ITP) which is derived from the 'Project Task List' during contract review activities. The normal ITP form has provision for responses to Task, Relevant Document (Procedure or Drawing), Signatures for the operator and inspecting authorities.
ITP's are generally used for 'project based' activities rather than continuous production. I have only seen reference to ITP's in one Australian Standard (for the construction industry), but it's not a bad approach for a project based organisation undertaking 'jobbing' work.

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