Powering Performance

If you’re one of those auto manufacturers who’s using ad hoc, spreadsheet-based collaboration, you’re not alone. According to a survey conducted by Ventana Research in November 2015, 7 out of 10 midsize companies use desktop spreadsheets for a range of business planning processes. Yet nearly half (48 percent) of those surveyed admit that spreadsheets make it difficult to manage business processes.

In 2012, AIAG introduced its free online Core Tools Self-Assessment (CTSA) as a way to measure an employee’s competency with the Automotive Core Tools and identify areas that require improvement.   Available in eight languages, the CTSA is a timed (75 minutes) open book self-assessment that covers APQP/PPAP, FMEA, MSA, and SPC. When completed, each individual receives an e-mail detailing his or her scores for each Core Tool. These results are confidential, and shared only with the participant. The CTSA can be taken every 30 days, allowing individuals time to address any knowledge gaps, and monitor their improvement in the Core Tools. 

AIAG proudly announces that the Call to Action for the new 3D Technical Data Package (TDP) Exchange Guideline project will occur on 9 May 2018 at 10:00 AM at AIAG in Southfield, Michigan. This project, which is a subset of the larger Model Based Enterprise (MBE) platform, will develop a guideline for the exchange of technical data that is traditionally shared on a part print (i.e. data that is not included in the math data exchange). The work group will initially focus on technical data exchanges between organizations for co-designed products, but products designed by one organization will be added if there are enough group volunteers.

No department is more aware of customer requirements than the quality department. This is why quite often the quality department is tasked with International Material Data System (IMDS) reporting. For every manufactured part, a Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) must be completed. PPAP can only be completed if there has been an accepted IMDS report. 

Change isn’t just coming – it’s here. With fewer than six months left to complete the transition to IATF 16949:2016, now is the time to ensure your organization has the tools and training necessary to successfully implement the new standard.

The CQI-27 Special Process: Casting System Assessment 2^nd edition provides requirements for foundry suppliers of OEM automotive castings. It is a collective effort by OEM and Tier 1 customers to create common process requirements for foundries, requirements which our shared experiences tell us will benefit the foundry industry for their OEM automotive customers.  The objective is to have robust processes which minimize the risk of casting defects in automotive applications.

Did you know that IATF 16949 clauses 7.2 and 7.2.1 require an organization to demonstrate an employee’s competence in key items of the organization’s Quality Management System? To help meet this requirement, AIAG’s APQP/PPAP Certification Exam verifies an employee’s proficiency in product quality planning and control plan guidelines, and PPAP submittal requirements.

In 2016, VDA 6.3 – Process Audit was revised by the VDA-QMC. Changes included consolidating the questionnaire from 60 to 58 questions (with four new questions) and modifying language, specifically surrounding terms and definitions, for greater clarity.  

Planning to take the Core Tools Self-Assessment? AIAG's free Core Tools Key Terms will help fill your Core Tools knowledge gaps.

The Core Tools Self-Assessment was created by AIAG to better prepare automakers and suppliers to use the Core Tools processes (i.e. SPC, FMEA, MSA, APQP/PPAP). Understanding these processes is becoming a requirement for the industry and AIAG wants to make sure that you are prepared.

The IATF 16949 transition deadline is rapidly approaching and many AIAG Certified Supplier Auditors need to renew their certification to complete second-party audits. The question, however, is how to do this without the undue hardship of investing in a five day class. The answer: AIAG’s Transitioning to IATF 16949:2016 for Automotive Auditors course, next offered 3/12 – 3/14, with additional sessions throughout the rest of 2018.