How can you sustain APQP performance over time?

2 Communicate and collaborate effectively

APQP is a cross-functional and collaborative process that involves multiple stakeholders, such as customers, suppliers, engineers, designers, quality managers, and production staff. You need to establish effective communication and collaboration channels among these stakeholders to ensure that everyone is on the same page and aligned with the APQP goals and requirements. You can use tools such as project management software, online platforms, dashboards, and regular meetings to facilitate information sharing, feedback, and problem-solving. You also need to foster a culture of trust, respect, and teamwork among the stakeholders to enhance cooperation and engagement.

3 Implement standard work and best practices

Standard work is a set of documented procedures and instructions that define the best way to perform a task or process. By implementing standard work for APQP, you can ensure consistency, quality, and efficiency across your organization. You can also use best practices from industry standards, such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or AIAG manuals, to guide your APQP process and ensure compliance with customer and regulatory requirements. Standard work and best practices can help you reduce variation, waste, and errors, and improve productivity and performance.

4 Conduct regular audits and reviews

Audits and reviews are essential to monitor and evaluate your APQP performance and identify any gaps, risks, or opportunities for improvement. You can conduct internal audits and reviews to check if your APQP process is following the standard work and best practices, and if your KPIs are meeting your goals. You can also conduct external audits and reviews to obtain feedback from customers, suppliers, or third-party auditors on your APQP process and outcomes. You should use the audit and review results to implement corrective and preventive actions, and to update your goals, metrics, and standard work as needed.

5 Learn and improve continuously

APQP is a dynamic and iterative process that requires constant learning and improvement. You should use the data and feedback from your audits, reviews, KPIs, and customer satisfaction surveys to analyze your APQP performance and identify the root causes of any issues or failures. You should also use the lessons learned from your APQP projects to share best practices, insights, and recommendations with your team and organization. You should also seek new ideas, innovations, and technologies that can help you enhance your APQP process and outcomes. By learning and improving continuously, you can sustain your APQP performance over time and deliver high-quality products to your customers.