The new APQP 3rd edition and Control Plan 1st edition are anticipated to publish on is March 1, 2024, with languages in English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish when the document launches. The APQP and Control Plan documents provide for adaptable frameworks that are suitable and highly useful for the automotive industry, including electric vehicles, and beyond.
Along with additional detail explaining the “why,” behind the “what, and “when,” the 3rd edition APQP manual addresses how to improve successful new product launches, and includes updates to reflect agile product management, while the new stand-alone Control Plan provides in-depth information on the development of control plans with examples and guidance for robust execution.
The new Control Plan also includes information on “Safe Launch” plans, examples of developing plans for highly automated manufacturing applications, and details for using software to develop and manage control plans.
The Control Plan forms have been updated. The new forms for APQP and Control Plan are anticipated to be available at launch.
According to the information provided by AIAG, at this time, General Motors implementation date is six months for the release date of the documents. Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis have agreed they will accept use of the new APQP and Control Plan immediately after publication, since nothing in the new documents conflict with the APQP 3rd edition.
According to the information posted by AIAG, suppliers will NOT have to update existing Control Plans to meet the new requirements.
The changes to APQP include, but are not limited to:
- Suggested documentation checklists for each “gate” review
- Aligned to typical Program milestones
- Supports expectation for “gate review” in 1.14 Leadership Support
- Includes review of Supplier (sub-tier) APQP activity, not just Organization’s
The changes to Control Plan include, but are not limited to:
APQP is one of the popular core tools applied in automotive quality management system according to IATF 16949.
After the publication of APQP 3rd Edition and Control Plan 1st Edition, DQS Academy will provide public training courses to help clients understand the new documents.
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