Quality management – product development in reverse

PLM often stems from a need to improve data sharing between engineering (CAD/PDM) and the rest of the organisation.

In this post, I want to turn that around a little and go in the opposite direction – in other words, data needs to be shared “into” engineering. So we start with something that went wrong, or needs improvement. This is often discovered outside the core of product development (AKA engineering). The various terms for the work of identifying quality issues are:

• FMECA (Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis): Prevention early in the development process
• NCR (Non‑Conformance Report): Something goes wrong in manufacturing or operation
• SCAR (Supplier CorrectiveAction Request): The fault originates with the supplier
• RMA (Return MaterialAuthorization): The product is returned
• CAPA (Corrective andPreventive Actions): The glue that holds everything together

How can you implement both a product change and corrective measures for existing products as quickly as possible? You also need to ensure a good flow of information between all stakeholders, traceability and synchronised information status (for example, existing documentation must immediately be invalidated so that it is not used to repeat the error).

The way to solve these challenges effectively is through clear processes that also ensure information is shared and made accessible. Taking this further, we also need to look at digitalising these processes.

In a well-implemented PLM system, all quality events will be linked to the product, and correct, accurate and up-to-date information will be available to everyone involved. FMECA will be available to everyone from the very first pen stroke, and there is no need to spend time asking for the latest version or where it is stored – it is linked to the product you are working on.

With Fusion Manage, you get out-of-the-box templates for the processes mentioned above and more.
Naturally, you will then tailor these to suit your business. Cadnor will help you with this.

See also our previous webinar “Change Management with Autodesk Fusion Manage PLM” to learn how product development is affected after a CAPA has been created as a result of an NCR, SCAR or RMA.

We will also soon be holding a webinar on “Quality Management with Fusion Manage PLM”.

Hope to see YOU there!