Change Handling and Defect Elimination

Throughout the manufacturing process, source inspectors may discover deviations from the originally agreed-upon project specifications and agreements. These are known as nonconformances, and should all be compiled into a nonconformance report (NCR). The NCR should, at a minimum, include the following information:

• Date of inspection
• Contract number and information
• Description of the nonconforming item and issue
• Photos of the discrepancy, if possible
• Specifications, drawings, codes, or standards involved
• Impact on the product
• Supplier/vendor recommended disposition of the nonconformance (e.g. “use as is,” “rework/repair per original contractual documents or approved repair procedure,” or “scrap the equipment/component involved and start over”)

The NCR should be distributed to the inspection coordinator for review and approval. Upon approval, it is up to the source inspector to verify that each and every NCR agreement is implemented as agreed upon.

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