The PPAP Process Flow The PPAP process flow (Production Part Approval Process) is a cornerstone of modern manufacturing quality systems, particularly in automotive and industrial sectors. It ensures that every part delivered meets customer expectations by validating that the production process can consistently produce conforming components.  PPAP is part of the Advanced Product Quality Planning […]

By Jon M Quigley Pareto charts for quality improvement are a powerful tool for focusing limited resources on the problems that matter most. Rather than treating all defects or process variations equally, Pareto analysis highlights the small number of issues that cause the majority of quality disruptions. This structured approach enables manufacturers to identify patterns […]

Work Instruction Updates: Capturing Continuous Improvement and Tribal Knowledge By Jon M Quigley Why Work Instruction Updates Matter Work instruction updates are more than administrative chores; they are potent tools for continuous improvement and the preservation of tribal knowledge. As organizations adapt to changing customer needs, technological shifts, and workforce turnover, the need to capture, […]

By Jon M Quigley This post is to pile on to a post by Robert Fey on LinkedIn. Below is a brief brainstorm of issues that can arise in product development and testing, resulting in poor outcomes.  Your thoughts are welcome. Here is a list of common failures in the context of software verification work […]

Configuration Management Vehicle Platforms – Practices for Multi-Project Success In the dynamic world of vehicle platform development, configuration management is more crucial than ever. As manufacturers innovate, multiple projects often require changes across various vehicle systems built on the same platform. Ensuring seamless, high-quality integration demands robust strategies―especially branching and merging―to keep development efficient and […]

What is a Project Escalation Plan in Product Development? A project escalation plan for product development is a structured approach to identify, address, and resolve issues that threaten a project’s goals, timelines, or budget. These plans ensure problems are managed before they impact overall product success. To illustrate, and this is not my project, I was a […]

Automotive Testing Best Practices: SIL, HIL, and Why a Single Approach Falls Short by Jon M Quigley As someone deeply engaged in automotive product development and testing, I believe that robust strategies using both software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) are essential. Drawing on the insights and frameworks of Jon M. Quigley, I want to explore […]

The Need for Transparency in Testing In the high-stakes world of automotive product development, demands to deliver vehicles on schedule often collide with the critical necessity for transparency in testing results. When timelines tighten and executive pressure mounts, the temptation to “fast-track” projects at the expense of rigorous verification grows. Yet, ensuring transparency in testing […]

Prototype Parts vs Production Parts: Understanding Key Differences and the Path to Production Introduction The journey from an initial concept to a finished product involves several crucial stages, including prototyping and production. For both engineers and procurement teams, it’s vital to understand the differences between prototype parts, their uses, and the technical, regulatory, and supply chain […]

Configuration management (CM) and product testing and verification are inextricably linked processes crucial for successful product development and production. Without effective configuration management, performing effective testing becomes difficult. CM provides the foundation for efficient, reliable, and insightful testing activities in today’s complex and constantly evolving systems across automotive, aerospace, defense, and software development industries.  This […]