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Issue Management
In the automotive industry, Issue Management (QNCR) typically refers to the process of managing Quality Notifications and Corrective Reports (or sometimes Quality Non-Conformance Reports) between a supplier and the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) or customer company. It’s a structured approach to identifying, documenting, resolving, and preventing quality issues related to parts, materials, or processes.
¶ What is Issue Management (QNCR)?
QNCR can stand for: Quality Non-Conformance Report
It’s a formal document used to:
- Notify a supplier or internal team about a non-conforming product or process.
- Track the issue’s root cause analysis (RCA).
- Request corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
¶ 🔧 Issue Management Process (Supplier ↔ Company)
Here’s a simplified breakdown:
- Detection of Issue
- A defect or non-conformance is found (e.g., during incoming inspection, production, or customer use).
- Examples: Dimension out of spec, wrong material, cosmetic defects, missing documentation.
- Creation of QNCR
- The issue is formally logged in a quality system (e.g., Perfeckto QMS system).
- Key details: Part number, batch/lot number, description of the issue, photos, date, responsible party.
- Notification to Supplier
- The supplier receives the QNCR and is expected to respond within a set time (e.g., 5 days).
- The supplier receives the QNCR and is expected to respond within a set time (e.g., 5 days).
- Containment Action
- Immediate action to prevent further defective parts from reaching the customer (e.g., quarantine stock, stop production).
- Immediate action to prevent further defective parts from reaching the customer (e.g., quarantine stock, stop production).
- Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
- Supplier uses tools like 5 Whys, or Fishbone Diagram, or Kaizen to analyze the issue.
- Supplier uses tools like 5 Whys, or Fishbone Diagram, or Kaizen to analyze the issue.
- Corrective & Preventive Action (CAPA)
- Corrective: Fix the issue for current parts.
- Preventive: Adjust process or documentation to stop it from happening again.
- Verification & Closure
- Customer reviews and approves the CAPA plan.
- Final verification (e.g., through audit, inspection, or test).
- Issue (QNCR) is officially closed once everything is satisfactory.
¶ ✅ Importance in Automotive
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TS 16949 / IATF 16949 Compliance: These standards require structured quality management, including issue tracking and supplier accountability.
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Traceability & Accountability: Every issue is traceable—who supplied, what went wrong, and what was done.
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Continuous Improvement: Lessons learned from each QNCR feed into process improvement.
¶ Tools Often Used
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Ishikawa Diagram / Fishbone Analysis
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5 Whys
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Kaizen
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Perfeckto QMS system to manage QNCR workflow