are listed above. As you can see they are the logical steps one would take in almost any business situation. I use the word business as this is just as applicable to a service company as a manufacturing company if you think about it. For that matter, these phases or ‘steps’ make ‘good business sense’ for companies which do NOT supply automotive.
What matters is what sources of information there are and the specifics. For example, outside the automotive industry one would not expect to see a PPAP submission warrant. However, the process they use for product approval may to some degree reflect parts of the APQP process.
Bear in mind that the APQP and Control Plan manual does not address manufacturer (customer) specific requirements. The APQP and Control Plan manual only addresses the general requirements.
Don’t over complicate what is required by the APQP system.
APQP Phases
Phase 1: Plan & Define Program
Where do we want to go?
Phase 2: Product Design & Development Verification
Can we design one?
Phase 3: Process Design & Development Verification
