In short: Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) is a structured framework for developing products and processes that meet customer requirements, organized in five phases from planning to production launch and feedback.
What are the five phases of APQP?
- Plan and define the programme
- Product design and development
- Process design and development
- Product and process validation
- Launch, feedback, assessment and corrective action
What are key deliverables?
Design and process FMEAs, control plans, measurement system analysis, capability studies and the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submission.
Key takeaways
- APQP builds quality in before launch.
- Cross-functional teamwork is essential.
- Outputs feed PPAP and ongoing control.
Frequently asked questions
Is APQP only for automotive?
It originated in automotive but is used in aerospace, medical devices and other sectors.
What is PPAP?
The Production Part Approval Process, used to demonstrate that production processes meet customer requirements.
Who leads APQP?
A cross-functional team, usually led by programme or quality engineering.