IATF 16949:2016 Clauses Awareness Training

Before designing QMS it is important to understand context of the organization. Context gets defined by understanding internal and external issues affecting QMS performance. Issues arise from ability to meet needs and expectations. For Automotive industry CSR need to be addressed in QMS. Product safety is an industry specific issue. While mapping each individual process it is important to consider all relevant issues.

Top Management support is essential for effective QMS implementation. This clause discusses about roles, responsibilities and authorities of top management, each process owner and each designation level employee. IATF 16949 asks you to describe basic corporate responsibility policy. In view of customer focus requirements of Customer representative are included. As quality is focus and defect prevention is goal, need for Quality Representatives is included. 

QMS planning helps to identify constraints as well strengths of QMS so as to develop robust system. Risks affecting product quality, on time delivery, process cost, overall business and customer expectations need to be identified at each process level. Many times risks are considered acceptable if opportunities for improvement exist. IATF 16949 also expects you to develop contingency plans so that on time delivery to customers is never affected.

Resources are essential for successful QMS. Human resources, equipment (hardware and software), safe working environment are essential resources. Monitoring and measurement resources helps us for correct measurement of product characteristics. Core tool MSA (Measurement System Analysis) helps us to determine appropriateness of measuring equipment. Organizational knowledge management helps in sharing and enhancing overall knowledge of each person.  Documentation information helps in maintaining this knowledge at each designation level.

Cl. 8.1 tells us about planning for operational control i.e. need for development of control plan for product covering each manufacturing stage. Cl. 8.2 tells us about reviewing customer requirements and determining feasibility (Quality aspects, quantity, delivery, cost etc.). 

Product design and development activities in automotive industry are focused on 'Right First Time' approach. Manufacturing process design and development helps in achieving this goal i.e. by development of robust manufacturing process. APQP helps in systematic development of new product / process. PPAP helps in validating the designed manufacturing process for product to be supplied in automotive supply chain.   

Purchase & outsourcing (control of externally provided products / processes) are important as most of the quality problems in automotive supply chain may have direct or indirect linkage with suppliers involved. Aim is to develop each supplier in accordance with IATF 16949 requirements. Supplier audits, performance monitoring are aids to achieve & implement this purpose.

Zero defect product can be manufactured and serviced only if related production and service processes are controlled and monitored. This clause describes various activities including 'Total Productive Maintenance' of all production machines. IATF 16949 recognizes importance of maintenance process for maintaining continuity of supplies. Preservation for avoiding any damages / deterioration of products is also important aspect in view of quality.