What Makes a Product Ready to Move from Pilot to Production
Product readiness requires a Cpk exceeding 1.67 across three continuous shifts with zero manual operator intervention before production capital is released.
Supplier Quality Technical Agreement
Meaning
Legally binding document specifies the technical requirements and quality control procedures that a supplier must follow. A supplier quality technical agreement ensures that both the buyer and the seller have a shared understanding of what constitutes a conforming part. This agreement is often a prerequisite for doing business in regulated industries like aerospace or pharmaceuticals.
Responsibility Matrix
Defining who is responsible for testing the raw materials and who approves the final packaging prevents confusion during production. The supplier quality technical agreement lists the specific certifications the supplier must maintain and the frequency of the audits they must undergo. Clear ownership of each quality step reduces the likelihood of a defect reaching the final customer.
Inspection Protocol
Detailed instructions for how to measure the parts and what equipment to use are included in the document. A supplier quality technical agreement might require the use of specific calibrated gauges or a particular statistical sampling method. This level of detail ensures that the measurements taken at the factory will match the measurements taken when the parts arrive at the buyer’s facility.
Change Control
Notification of any modifications to the manufacturing process or the materials used is a mandatory requirement under this agreement. Suppliers cannot change a sub vendor or move a production line without the written consent of the buyer. The cost of a process change without this oversight is the potential for unexpected failures in the field.
This document provides the legal framework for rejecting any parts that were made using an unauthorized method.