Product Realization - Section 7

7.1 Planning of Product Realization

We are to determine the process steps ahead of time. Determine the important steps, checks, records and objectives. This can be done in any manner the company chooses. Some companies use flowcharts, process maps, and/or process descriptions. Most people like the flowcharting or mapping methods because they can see the process interactions and linkages.

7.2 Customer-related Processes

7.2.1 Determination of requirements related to product

This clause is one of the most important in providing customer satisfaction. It requires you to have a complete understanding of the customer’s requirements. Including something the customer may have overlooked but you know is needed based on the customer’s use of the product.

7.2.2 Review of requirements related to product

Before we provide a quote or accept an order we must make certain we can do what the customer wants. This includes anything from a written description of the product or service to how soon they want to pay you for the product. Don’t forget shipping schedules, packaging and labeling!
If any of the requirements change we must make sure everyone involved is told of the change.

7.2.3 Customer Communication

Figure out the best way to communicate with the customer from the order to the delivery of the product. It could be by phone, fax, email, personal visit or any combination. We must keep the customer up-to-date. Listen to them about changes and their expectations.

7.3 Design and Development

There are seven sub-clauses in this section.

7.3.1 Design and development planning

7.3.2 Design and development inputs

7.3.3 Design and development outputs

7.3.4 Design and development review

7.3.5 Design and development verification

7.3.6 Design and development validation

7.3.7 Control of design and development changes

7.4 Purchasing

7.4.1 Purchasing process
7.4.2 Purchasing information
7.4.3 Verification of purchased product

It is customary to buy some of the things you need for your product from other suppliers. This could be anything from completed assemblies to raw materials. It might be sub-contracting some of your work to a specialist, (i.e.); painting or plating or welding.

Let’s say we make computers and you buy the monitor from another company with your name on it. When the monitor breaks and your customer calls, do they call you or the maker of the monitor. You, of course. You can try and tell the customer it was the monitor maker, but they won’t care. They bought the computer from you. You are responsible in the customer’s eyes.

It is the responsibility of the company selling the product to make sure it meets the customer’s requirements, regardless of where the materials or parts came. Your company must evaluate the quality of their suppliers and approve the supplier for use. This means there has to be some criteria for that evaluation and suppliers are held to meeting those needs. If they don’t they will need to take action to fix the situation so it won’t happen again.

But, regardless of the fact the supplier is approved, your company is charged with making certain the goods you get meet all the requirements. The requirements need to be spelled out in the purchase documents sent to the supplier.
Also, if anyone from your company or your customer wants to inspect the goods at the supplier’s location, this is to be written in the purchase documents as well.

See Quality Managment System - Section 4

See Management Responsibility - Section 5

See Resource Management - Section 6

See Product Realization - Section 7 (top of page)

See Measurement, Analysis and Improvement - Section 8

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