In December 2016, the AIAG Quality Steering Committee approved the launch of a Core Tools Forms Solution Project. The Automotive Quality Core Tools are essential building blocks in the automotive quality body of knowledge. The current Core Tools are Advanced Product Quality Planning and Control Plan (APQP/CP), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Measurement System Analysis (MSA), Statistical Process Control (SPC), and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP). The methodologies defined in the Core Tools manuals are indispensable for quality planning during new product launch and necessary for continual quality improvement during on-going manufacturing.
A recent industry survey showed that as much as 75 percent of automotive suppliers use EXCEL-based approaches to complete and manage their Core Tools-related document authoring and release. To better support the industry, it became clear that AIAG needs to update the Core Tools Forms product offering. One major opportunity is to help smaller suppliers comply with OEM and Tier One customer specific requirements (CSRs) with a robust, yet flexible, cloud-based software tool. The Core Tools Forms solution, named AIAG Core Tools Software 2.0, will be developed from direct engagement with subject matter experts from AIAG’s global membership. The product is targeted for launch later this year to support the release of the new AIAG-VDA FMEA Manual.
“AIAG's quality initiatives span the wide array of product development, manufacturing, service, and customer experience improvement activities challenging our members’ companies in today's ever-changing automotive industry,” states Scott Gray, AIAG’s director, quality products and services. “We want to make sure that our Core Tools-related product offerings are a great value and drive performance. The Core Tools Software 2.0 product will enable small- and medium-sized suppliers to effectively and efficiently develop, implement, and continuously improve their Core Tools-related processes and techniques, and as a result, the products they develop, produce, and support.”
For more information on the Core Tools Forms Project, please contact John Cachat, AIAG program manager.
