Q2 2021
Root Cause Analysis – What It Is, the Process, and Why You should Do It
Root Cause is:
·  The casual or contributing factors that, if corrected, would prevent recurrence of the identified problem.
·  The “factor” that caused a problem or defect and should be permanently eliminated through process improvement.
·  The factor that sets in motion the cause-and-effect chain that creates problem.
·  The “true” reason that contributed to the creation of a problem, defect or nonconformance.

Root cause analysis is the process of:
·  Identifying a problem
·  Containing and analyzing the problem
·  Defining the root cause
·  Defining and implementing the actions required to eliminate the root cause
·  Validating that the corrective action prevented recurrence of problem

Why should you do root cause analysis?
·  Save time and money
·  Prevent repeated problems
·   Process cycle time improve (no rework loops)
·   Secure long-term performance and profits

“Usual” approach Vs “Preferred” approach
“Usual” approach:
1.   Problem Identified
2.   Immediate containment action implemented
3.   Problem reoccurs elsewhere
4.   Repeat step 2 and 3
“Preferred” approach:
1. Problem Identified
2. Immediate containment action Implemented
3. Defined Root Cause Analysis Process
4. Solutions validated with data
5. Solutions are applied across company and never return!
Steps of Problem-Solving Process using Root Cause Analysis:
1.  Find the defect
2.  Contain the problem
3.  Contain the root process
4.  Prevent the problem using corrective action

3 Types of correction actions:
1.  Immediate containment action: the action taken to quickly fix the impact of the problem, so the “customer” is not further impacted.
2.  Permanent root cause correction action: the action taken to eliminate the error on the affected process or product
3. Preventive (Systemic) root cause corrective action: the action taken to prevent the error from recurring on any process or product.
Supplier Factory Evaluation Program – A Program by IAPMO Supply Chain Services.
The pandemic has forced companies to reinvent how they operate, as what was previously challenging and expensive to begin with is no longer even an option.
           
A few questions to ask yourself:
·    Are you losing sight of your suppliers and how they produce your orders?
·    Are you placing too much blind trust in your outsourcing?
·    Are you feeling uneasy following your orders remotely?
·    Are you trying to reduce costs while maintaining quality products from your supplier?

If the answer to any of the questions above is yes, maybe it’s time for you to consider contacting IAPMO Supply Chain Services (IAPMO SCS) for a free consultation on Supplier Factory Evaluation Program. 

To learn more about this program and what services are available from IAPMO SCS, you may direct your browser to www.scsiapmo.org or contact us via e-mail at solutions@scsiapmo.org
We are not your typical service provider; we are your Supply Chain Services partner!
Tips to Prepare for a Successful Audit
01
Plan ahead
Create a team within your organization and go over the expectations for your certification.
02
Take the audit seriously
If you and your team find any issues, implement corrective actions. Create a timeline that represents any action that need to take place in order to be compliant.
03
Review documented information and prepare your employees
Make sure that all your documents and records are up to date. This means removing any obsolete documents and making sure that forms are being used correctly. Also, please make sure your employees are aware and prepared by doing a refresher training, brief meeting, and/or issuing memo.
04
Ensure all processes are being performed correctly
You want to make sure that all processes are being followed accordingly and performed in a consistent manner by everyone.
05
Review corrective action processes
If there were any non-conformities issued to your company, make sure they are properly documented, and any corrective actions planned have been properly implemented and its effectiveness were verified.
06
Make sure the workplace is organized and clean
Just like working in a disorganized office, it is hard to do an audit when everything is unorganized. Tidy up the office, warehouse, production area, etc. and make sure that your documents are on-hand or easily accessible.
07
Stay positive
Our auditors are people too. They are there to verify conformance, but they may point out a quality issue that you may not notice before. They will work with you to make sure that you comply with the applicable quality standard as well as your own policy and procedures. Take any nonconformity that they issue as an opportunity for improvement and work with our auditors (and us) to correct the issue.
We hope that you find the tips helpful, and we wish you all the very best on your upcoming audits!
ISO 9001:2015 Corner - Guidance for “Documented Information”
ISO 9001:2015 allows an organization flexibility in the way it chooses to document its quality management system (QMS). This enables each individual organization to determine the correct amount of documented information needed in order to demonstrate the effective planning, operation and control of its processes and the implementation and continual improvement of the effectiveness of its QMS. 

It is stressed that ISO 9001 requires (and always has required) a “Documented quality management system”, and not a “System of documents”.

A list of commonly used terms and definitions relating to documented information is presented in ISO 9001:2015 Annex A.

It must also be stressed that, according to ISO 9001:2015 clause 7.5.3 Control of documented information requirements, documents may be in any form or type of medium, and the definition of “document” in ISO 9001:2015 clause 3.8.5 gives the following examples:
-       Paper
-       Magnetic
-       Electronic or optical computer disc
-       Photograph
-       Master Sample

For the complete guidance on how to fulfill the requirements related to documented information, please see ISO TC 176 Guidance on the requirements for Documented Information of ISO 9001:2015.
AS 9100D Corner – Supply Chain Tiers in the Aerospace Industry
The Science Times has written an informative article entitled Unpacking the Supply Chain Tiers in the Aerospace Industry. Author Ernest Hamilton highlights the importance of these supply chains, calling them the backbone of the US. Aerospace and aviation industry. He notes that organizations that deliver equipment to the aerospace supply chain are required to register for a minimum of one AS standard AS 9100, AS 9110, or AS 9120. Hamilton also dissects the three tiers these supply chains are broken into.
Recently Certified Clients (Q2-2021)
We would like to congratulate the following organizations for their recent certification achievements and welcome them to the IAPMO family:

High Speed CNC | Santa Clara, California | AS 9100D
Century Precision Engineering Inc. | Gardena, California | AS 9100D
DBR Machine | Valencia, California | AS 9100D
Stovall Engineering | Memphis,Tennessee | ISO 9001:2015
Davis Valve, Inc. | Memphis, Tennessee | ISO 9001:2015
Western Pacific Enterprises, Inc. | Canoga Park, CA | AS 9100D
Blue Cross Laboratories | Santa Clarita, California | GMP
All American Bushing, Inc. | Valencia, California | ISO 9001:2015
Vanderhulst Assoc., Inc. | Santa Clara, California | ISO 9001:2015
CMAX, LLC | Tacoma, Washington | ISO 9001:2015
Hemp White Label Co. | Costa Mesa, California | GMP
Applied Precision Manufacturing, Inc. | South El Monte, California | AS 9100D
Inspec Machining LLC | Camarillo, California | ISO 9001:2015
A&S Mfg, Inc. | San Fernando, California | AS 9100D
Salford Manufacturing Inc. | Sun Valley, California | AS 9100D
IAPMO Group was established in 1926 and has offices in the USA, Canada, Australia, China, Indonesia, India, Mexico, Germany and Argentine. To learn more for the IAPMO Group complete services, please visit our website at www.iapmo.org.