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The 8D method in the automotive sector is a more structured, A team-oriented problem-solving process with eight defined steps that is used to process complaints and eliminate the causes of errors in the long term.

Advanced Product Quality Planning - a structured process for developing new products and processes in the automotive industry. APQP defines clear phases from concept development to the start of series production and ensures that all quality requirements are taken into account at an early stage.

APQP comprises five phases: Planning, product design, process design, product and process validation and series production and improvement.

AS9100 is an internationally recognized standard for Quality management systems, which was developed specifically for companies in the aerospace and defense industry and is based on ISO 9001. It supplements ISO 9001 with additional requirements for risk management, product safety, configuration management and supply chain control to ensure the quality, safety and reliability of aerospace products

Systematic, independent examination of a process to assess whether it meets the specified requirements. In the automotive sector, the VDA 6.3 process audit used.

Difference: A System audit audits the entire QMS, a Process audit individual process steps, a Product audit the finished product.

Auditing is a systematic, independent and documented procedure for objectively auditing processes, systems or organizations to determine whether they meet specified requirements (e.g. standards such as ISO 9001). It serves to improve efficiency, compliance and quality by identifying weaknesses.

CAPA stands for Corrective and Preventive Action (corrective and preventive actions) and is a central component of quality management in the pharmaceutical industry. It serves the systematic identification, analysis and elimination of deviations or problems in order to eliminate their causes and prevent future occurrences - often required by GMP guidelines, FDA or EMA. The process typically includes steps such as problem identification, root cause analysis, action planning, implementation and effectiveness testing

A Freelancer works independently on a project basis - without long-term commitment to an employer. Ideal for temporary tasks or when specialized know-how is required that is not available internally.

Advantages for companies: Flexibility, no social security contributions, rapid availability, no protection against dismissal. Schulz Solutions provides certified freelancers from the quality and project environment.

GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practice (Good Manufacturing Practice). It is a regulatory standard that defines minimum requirements for the manufacture of medicinal products, foodstuffs or medical devices to ensure safe, effective and high-quality products. GMP covers areas such as personnel qualification, hygiene, validated processes, documentation and traceability in order to minimize risks such as contamination or errors.

The international quality standard for the automotive industry, developed by the International Automotive Task Force. It defines the requirements for a quality management system in the automotive supply chain.

IATF 16949 is a prerequisite for approval as a supplier by most OEMs worldwide. The standard is based on ISO 9001 and supplements it with automotive-specific requirements.

At the Interim Management experienced managers or specialists take on a defined task for a limited period of time - without a long-term permanent position.

Typical reasons: vacancy of a key position, restructuring, crisis management, parental leave or specific project know-how that is not available internally.

Advantages: Immediate availability, high level of experience, clear mandate, no social benefits, no protection against dismissal.

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing quality assurance: Image processing recognizes errors faster than the human eye, Predictive quality predicts deviations before they occur.

Areas of application: Automatic visual inspection, process control in real time, evaluation of measurement data, predictive maintenance.

Comprises the systematic selection, development, evaluation and management of suppliers along the value chain. The aim is to permanently optimize quality, delivery reliability and costs.

Instruments: Supplier audits (VDA 6.3), evaluation matrices, escalation management, supplier development programs, special trips in the event of quality problems.

MIL-SPEC (Military Specification) refers to technical specifications of the US military that define the essential requirements for military-specific materials, products or modified civilian goods so that they meet the required reliability, resilience and compatibility in military use.

Production Part Approval Process - the formal approval procedure for series parts in the automotive industry. PPAP is proof that the production process fulfills all customer requirements.

A complete PPAP comprises up to 18 elements, including dimensional reports, material certificates, process capability certificates (Cpk) and initial samples.

Quality assurance includes all measures that ensure that products or services meet the defined requirements - before, during and after production.

In the automotive sector: incoming goods inspection, inline inspection, final inspection, special trips to the supplier, reworking in the event of deviations.

Important standards: IATF 16949, ISO 9001, VDA 6.3

The Advance quality planning (QVP) is the systematic process for ensuring product quality at an early stage in the development and planning phase - before initial production begins.

QVP is closely related to APQP and includes failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), test plan development, process capability planning and initial sampling.

Traceability describes the ability to clearly identify products or services through appropriate labeling and to track their status with regard to monitoring and measurement requirements.

The ISO 9001 standard, for example, requires that, if necessary (e.g. customer request or risk assessment), the identity of outputs is checked and documented information is kept to track the entire value chain (origin, processes, delivery).

Start of Production (SOP) refers to the start of series production of a new product. The start of series production is the most critical phase in the product development process.

It includes the safeguarding of all production and testing processes, supplier approvals (PPAP/VDA2) and the zero-defect strategy through to stable series production.

Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) refers to the function and team responsible for quality assurance in the supply chain.

Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) is the operational role - the SQE is the direct contact for suppliers on quality issues, carries out audits, supports start-up processes and solves quality problems at source.

A process audit standard of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), which is widely used in the German and European automotive industry.

VDA 6.3 evaluates processes using a list of questions in eight process elements (P1-P7 plus potential analysis P1). The result is a maturity level from A (suitable) to D (not suitable).

The transfer of production processes from one location to another - often to Eastern Europe or Asia for cost reasons. Relocations are highly critical projects with a high quality risk.

Success factors: Careful process transfer, employee training at the new location, initial sample approval before SOP, parallel production in the start-up phase.