Automotive
APQP: Advanced Product Quality Planning
A structured method for planning product and process quality so that new parts launch on time and conforming.
Reference noteThis page is an independent plain-language summary written by QUALITAS TR. It does not reproduce the standard. Always work from the current official edition, available from AIAG, the Automotive Industry Action Group (FMEA jointly with VDA) (official page). QUALITAS TR supports organisations against this standard; it does not certify them.
01Purpose
APQP is a structured approach to product and process design that ensures the product will satisfy the customer. It defines the steps, deliverables and timing needed from concept to production.
02Scope
Used by automotive suppliers under IATF 16949 and increasingly in other industries for new product introduction.
03Main requirements
- Plan and define the programme
- Product design and development
- Process design and development
- Product and process validation
- Feedback, assessment and corrective action
- Cross-functional team and timing plan
- Outputs such as DFMEA, PFMEA, control plan, MSA, capability studies and PPAP
04Typical applications and industries
New part launches, supplier changes and significant product or process changes.
05Audit and inspection considerations
- Is there a timing plan with gates?
- Are deliverables real or created for submission?
- Are lessons learned used?
06Common nonconformities
- Documents completed after production started
- PFMEA not reflecting process flow
- Insufficient trial runs before PPAP
07How QUALITAS TR can support
We follow APQP at suppliers through supplier quality engineering.