If you are involved in the manufacture of automotive products, you should have an automotive quality management system in place. This system is used to improve the quality of your products. This system is comprised of five elements: feasibility, manufacturing process, measurement, logistics, supply sources, and risk analysis. Any changes to these elements could have a negative impact on the product realization. It is also used to adjust internal audits and ensure supplier alignment with customers.
Automotive quality management systems can help you meet customer expectations and boost your bottom line. The IATF 16949 certification is a universal quality mark for automotive suppliers, and many companies seek out suppliers that have this certification. An IATF 16949 certificate shows that your company has procedures in place to meet operational standards. The certification provides a flexible framework based on process quality management principles. It ensures that your product will meet the highest possible standards.
Having a quality management system for your automotive manufacturing company can reduce time to market, increase product quality, and cut overhead expenses. Historically, automotive industries would spend money on non-compliant parts or remanufacturing. This costs money and requires labor and paperwork. Implementing a QMS can eliminate these costs. A QMS can help reduce your time to market by allowing you to focus on the customer’s needs.
An IATF 16949 certification helps you manage the process of implementing an ISO-compliant quality management system. The software will record and store all valid and invalid nonconformance issues. A QMS will also allow you to schedule document approval, archiving, and management. Notifications can be scheduled beforehand to give you the opportunity to address any issues that arise. The system can also help you track down customer complaints. You can then fix these problems before they can harm your reputation.
The IATF 16949:2016 automotive quality management standard is a global technical specification aimed at the automotive industry and its supporting functions. This standard emphasizes defect prevention and reducing variation in the supply chain. This international standard is based on ISO 9001 and was revised in 2002. In 2016, it was adopted by more than 6,000 manufacturers, making it one of the world’s most widely adopted standards. A company should consider implementing it to comply with the IATF 16949:2016 standard.
A QMS will help you determine the effectiveness of your automotive quality management system. This system is important for several reasons, including improving product functionality and preventing defects. It will also help you monitor information that might trigger an internal audit. In short, a QMS will keep your product and service quality at a high level. A well-developed QMS will help you ensure that your products meet the requirements of customers and OEMs. There are many benefits of a QMS, but mainly they relate to the concept of quality and the overall functionality of your products.
Risk analysis is another essential element of an automotive quality management system. ISO/TS 16949 addresses this area as well and has more specific requirements. The process for evaluating risk would include determining whether it’s too high or too low, documenting lessons learned, analyzing similar processes and applying them in practice. After each incident, the company should develop a plan for how to prevent the recurrence of the same problem.