Supplier quality improvement -

Checklist
1. Quality history

● How many lots were received with this part number?

● What % of lots were rejected with this part number?
● What types of defects were identified in receiving
inspection note?
● Were previously committed corrective/preventive
actions effective?
2. Delivery history

● What % of lots were on time for this part number ?

● How many days early or late were the lots for this part
number?
● Were previously committed recovery plans effective in
improving delivery?
3. Part/assembly
drawings and
artwork

● Are all drawings available, including component detail?

● Are all drawings complete (dimensions, tolerances, material
finishes etc), signed, darted and released through document
control?
● Does the drawing include the latest revision?
● Is the bill of material complete and accurate?
● Are the next-higher assembly drawing numbers listed and
available?
● Are dimension/tolerances excessively tight for normal
processing, and will special processing be required?
Part/assembly
drawings and
artwork...

● Are dimension/tolerance changes required to support tooling

and process?
● Has an assembly tolerance stack-up or statistical tolerancing
been conducted?
● Are there drawing notes, dimensions, tolerances, representing
areas where the supplier does not currently have
manufacturing experience?
● Does the artwork meet all parameters as called out in the
manufacturing specification and fabrication drawing?
● Does the supplier have recommendations to improve the
clarity of the drawings?
 4. Product specifications

● Are all specifications available (product, functional

assemblies, electronic components)?
● Are specifications complete, signed, dated and released?
● Are specification changes required to support tooling and
processes?
● Are there specifications that exceed the suppliers current
technology?
● Are there specifications that appear unrealistic and costly
to meet?
●
Product specifications...

● Are there any questions or recommendations regarding

the specifications?
● Does the supplier have any difficulty in meeting the
specifications?
● Has engineering completed design verification testing?
● Has regulatory testing been completed and have
regulatory approvals been obtained?
● Has reliability and environmental testing been
completed?
● Are there recommendations for design changes that
5. Cost

● Does the design meet target costs for manufacturing,

capital and maintenance?
● Are there recommendations for design changes that will
reduce cost?
6. Process

● Is the design capable of being manufactured with the

supplier’s current process?
● Are there any special equipment required?
● Is the process capable of making the part as designed?
● Are the manufacturing methods documented?
● Does the supplier need assistance in developing the
process?
● Are the material-handling procedures adequate to
prevent damage to the part?
7. Inspection

● Is the drawing clear and understandable?

● Are datum selection complete and logical?
● Are material, finish and form adequately called out?
● Are current inspection methods and gages capable of
measuring the part as designed?
● Are the standard measuring tools calibrated?
● Are the calibration procedures documented?
Inspection...

● Is special or unique equipment required at the supplier

and in-house correlated?
● Are inspection instructions available for each part
number? Are they comprehensive?
● Are critical/major/minor dimensions called out on the
drawing or in or in the inspection instructions?
● Has an inspection/test capability study been performed?
Are the results acceptable?
● What are the current sampling plans?
Inspection...

● Does the supplier need assistance in developing an

inspection plan?
● Does the supplier have a quality management system?
● Is source inspection required - plant location? Source
inspector trained?
9. Packaging requirements

● Is shipping protection against moisture/humidity required?

● Is there a special finish on the product that requires special
handling?
● Is thermal protection required?
● Are there special aging and shelf-life limitations?
● Is there a delicate nature to the product which requires special
packaging to allow for handling in-house?
● Will the product require special packaging and shipping due to
size, weight, mounting or cooling?
● Has testing of the packaging been completed (drop test, road
test, other environmental)?
10. Manufacturing schedule

● What is the projected annual volume?

● What is the projected daily volume?
● When is the product scheduled to start production?
● Is the supplier’s process capable of manufacturing the
required volume and meeting the delivery schedule?
● This part number and quantity will represent what
percent of the supplier’s capacity?
11. Procurement administration

● Verbal instructions are unacceptable and changes must

be backed up by the documentation, including approved
marked drawings. Is this procedure being followed
internally and with the supplier?
● Are change orders incorporated only after receipt of
documentation and in acceptable time by the supplier?
● Do drawings and purchase orders reflect the same part
number and revision?
● Are the requirements for the first article specified in the
purchase documents?
Procurement administration…

● Have the quality assurance policies and requirements

been included in the purchase documents?
● Has the first article been received, inspected and
approved?
● Is the supplier on the approved Manufacturers List?
● Does the supplier’s part number match the approved in-
house part number?
● Are tooling charges made at the supplier only after
receipt of purchase orders?
● Are suppliers aware of and given the opportunity to
submit deviation requests prior to shipment of the