In compliance management, the role of managing and tracking nonconformances is a critical step to ensuring that product defects are flagged and handled properly. Whenever there is a product that differs from plans and specifications, something must be done. Typically, it will be flagged as a nonconforming material.
This means you need to do one of two things: issue a deviation from that specification or take action to determine the nature of the defect or nonconformance and seek to resolve it.
The Nonconformance Management Software module is designed to do that. It helps identify any materials that do not conform and identify the areas in which to take action and properly disposition the material. Nonconformance processes are often closely related to the Corrective Action process as this determines the nature of the defect.
Corrective Action software opens and begins an investigation to determine the root cause. Once located, it builds out a scheduled plan to fix it. It will not stop until it has verified effectiveness of the correction.
With nonconformance software, the material needed to be investigated can be linked to other events.
So, this can be considered a planned deviation, a supplier corrective action or immediate actions to ensure the utmost data has been collected to make a more informed decision. An automated solution allows you to:
1. Identify Defects and Take Action: Nonconformance software allows users to record and track any nonconforming materials. This identifies costs and other pertinent information describing and determining the defect. Each form is then able to design and collect as much information as possible about the product, supplier and customer.
2. Streamline the Process through a Workflow: Through the verified workflow, processes can be set as well as due dates, escalations and notifications to ensure that materials are managed quickly and time is always used appropriately.
3. Link to Other Processes: Linking deviations to any nonconformance records, open action items to handle sub-activities or launch corrective actions, directly from the form itself.
Nonconformance Management Software helps to build a history of risk within a product, process, supplier or production line. It also ensures that you can close the loop on your nonconformances by initiating change management so you can make improvements across your organization, while mitigating the risk of recurrence.
