Powering Performance

As chair of AIAG’s Quality Steering Committee, there’s no doubt that Harald Wilhelm – head of Quality Processes and Standards, North America at Continental – brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. Sitting down for an interview just days after celebrating his 30th anniversary with Continental, Harald shared his thoughts on the importance of getting involved, staying informed and keeping up with industry news. 

Traceability provides product visibility throughout the automotive supply chain, helping organizations identify products by location and product/process characteristic while assisting in streamlining product callbacks, containment, and inventory management. OEMs and suppliers have implemented numerous product traceability solutions – but until now, there hasn’t been a guideline that outlines the standardized best practices endorsed by the automotive industry. That’s where AIAG’s new Traceability Guideline comes in.

In 2012, AIAG introduced the Core Tools Self-Assessment (CTSA) as a means to measure an individual’s Core Tools proficiency and identify areas for improvement. The CTSA is a timed, open book self-assessment that covers APQP/PPAP, FMEA, MSA and SPC and is offered in eight different languages.  Exam questions are tied to the proctored Core Tools certification exams offered by AIAG.

In a ground-breaking automotive quality survey conducted by AIAG in collaboration with Deloitte Consulting, problem solving was identified as one of the most critical issues impacting quality for the global automotive industry.

AIAG’s Traceability Guideline draft, identified as CQI-28, is currently available for stakeholder review through October 17, 2018.

AIAG’s Traceability Workgroup is proud to announce that its new Traceability Guideline, identified as CQI-28, is now available for stakeholder review. Created by a cross-functional and multi-organizational workgroup, the document contains guidance to meeting IATF 16949 traceability requirements, presents a basis for traceability methods and technologies relevant to the automotive industry and concludes with a self-assessment and fire drill forms. Additionally, best practices – and in some cases “bad practices” – are presented to guide and inspire thought for organizations that are creating or evaluating their traceability systems.

Does your organization need help eliminating repeat problems and implementing sustainable improvements in your products or processes?

By now you have probably heard about Industry 4.0 and what it’s all about. The term refers to the fourth wave of the Industrial Revolution. Each wave of the revolution has been driven by advances in technology. The most recent wave has been precipitated by the rapid and concurrent maturation of advanced technologies such as robotics, AI, VR, big data and visualization. Industry 4.0 technologies allow business to move at a never-before seen pace.

Several sections of IATF 16949:2016 now specifically reference the Core Tools, including:

To achieve operational excellence, especially in quality risk management, organizations are expected to have three elements in perfect balance: their people, processes and technology. A focus is needed not only on the skills of those who perform FMEAs, but the processes, procedures and tools used by the team. These elements are part of a continuous process of risk identification, analysis, and mitigation aligned to their corporate objectives of improved process throughput and quality, as well as reduced product scrap and rework.