Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)

What is APQP?

ADVANCED PRODUCT QUALITY PLANNING CYCLE

•Advanced Product Quality Planning method to assure that a product satisfies the customer (both internal and external)

•The goal of APQP is to:

•Plan before acting

•Anticipate and prevent issues

•Validate before moving forward

•Facilitate communication

•Each Advanced Product Quality Plan is unique and is a living document

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•Particular emphasis should be placed on identifying critical path activities and ensuring those are fully resourced

APQP BACKGROUND

•Automotive industry challenges:

•Innovation, more complex product

•Reduce NPD times

•Complicated Supply chain

•Increasing customer and quality requirements

•Solution:

•Ford, GM, Chrysler APQP Task Force jointly developed in the late 80’s to standardize their respective supplier quality systems.

•Continuous Improvement:

•Many industries outside the Automotive industry have embraced the AIAG APQP process to achieve similar benefits 

1. APQP – timing chart and phases - AIAG

 The Advanced Product Quality Planning process consists of four phases and five major activities and has some 20+ supporting tools (e.g. DFMEA, PFMEA, CTQ, Special Characteristics, Control Plan, SPC) along with ongoing feedback assessment and corrective action.