APQP helps organisations effectively manage quality and risks during product development. Symbol assists organisations in practically applying APQP and ensuring quality from the design phase.
Organisations in the high-tech and automotive sectors work according to Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) to ensure quality from the design phase. The methodology helps companies identify risks early, structure development processes, and improve supply chain collaboration. This prevents errors in later production phases and allows products to be brought to market faster and more reliably.
Symbol has supported companies for over 20 years in implementing and applying APQP in their development and production processes. Through guidance on process design, project structure, and quality planning, Symbol helps teams manage risks early and develop products more efficiently, ensuring quality is structurally embedded from the initial design phase.
The organisation, together with management, defines the scope, objectives, and relevant defence contracts. A project team is assembled, and existing processes, documentation, and applicable AQAP standards are inventoried as a basis for structured implementation within the defence supply chain.
Current processes and documentation are compared with AQAP requirements and contractual obligations of the defence client. Gaps, risks, and improvement areas are identified and translated into an implementation plan with clear priorities, resources, and timelines.
The quality management system is established or adapted to meet AQAP requirements. Roles, responsibilities, processes, and documentation are defined, ensuring the system aligns with defence standards and functions effectively within projects and the organisation.
Configuration management and document control are implemented to manage changes in products, components, and documentation. This maintains insight into which configurations have been approved, produced, and delivered, which is essential within defence projects and contractual obligations.
Risks within design, production, and delivery are systematically identified, assessed, and managed. Quality assurance is established to ensure products and services meet defence standards and function reliably in critical and complex operational environments.
Suppliers are assessed, selected, and monitored for compliance with defence requirements. Contractual quality requirements are translated into the supply chain and monitored through audits and collaboration to ensure quality, traceability, and reliability throughout the chain.
Processes for product identification, inspections, testing, and customer acceptance are established. Traceability of materials, components, and documentation is ensured, and collaboration with the client provides formal verification and acceptance of products and processes.
After project execution, performance is evaluated, and lessons learned are systematically recorded. These insights are used to further improve processes, collaboration, and quality assurance, ensuring future defence projects are executed more efficiently, reliably, and with better control.
Symbol helps you practically apply APQP in your development and production processes. We can explain in a single conversation how we structurally embed quality from the design phase.
What is APQP and what is it used for?
APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) is a structured methodology for managing product and process development. It is primarily used in the automotive and high-tech sectors to ensure quality from the design phase and identify risks early.
What are the 5 phases of APQP?
The five phases of APQP are:
These phases ensure structured and controlled development.
What is the difference between APQP and PPAP?
APQP is the overarching process for quality planning during product development. PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) is a component of this, focusing specifically on approving products before serial production begins.
What is the relationship between APQP and IATF 16949?
APQP is a core component within IATF 16949 and is used to structure product development and quality planning. The standard requires organisations to apply APQP to manage risks and ensure consistent product quality.
What deliverables are associated with APQP?
Key deliverables within APQP include FMEAs, control plans, process flows, validation results, measurement plans, and PPAP documentation. These documents support the demonstration of quality and process control.