A IAG’s Process Identification Tool helpsorganizations address all the require-ments of ISO/TS 16949:2002. The key

is to develop a step-by-step approach thatincludes an initial document review andhighlights areas of the specification that areboth addressed and not addressed by theorganization’s natural processes.

Why Identify Processes?ISO/TS 16949:2002 requires that an

organization’s processes be identified. In sec-

tion 4.1, the standard states that the orga-nization shall:

■ Identify the processes needed for thequality management system and their appli-cation throughout the organization; and

■ Determine the sequence and inter-action of these processes.

Certification requires that organizationsmeet all requirements of ISO/TS16949:2002. Furthermore, third party andinternal audits must use the processapproach for ISO/TS 16949:2002.

What does this mean? It means that whileall processes need to be identified, not allneed to be documented. Identification ofthe processes can be through flowcharts, procedures, training or other media.

As to when an organization should doc-ument, IATF recommends full documenta-tion of customer oriented processes (COPs).In addition, processes should be fully docu-mented where needed to ensure quality.

Processes Versus TS RequirementsIf your organization has not already dis-

covered this, ISO/TS 16949:2002 has many

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“shall” requirements. For one, ISO/TS16949 requires that the organization employthe “process approach.” In other words, theorganization must demonstrate that itsprocesses meet all the TS requirements.

One clarification: employees must fol-low internal instructions, not technicalspecifications. Why? Because the organi-zation’s internal instructions are part of theprocesses that it uses. To meet ISO/TS16949:2002, the organization must under-stand how its processes and documentationare related.

Process-Approach AuditsAuditors cannot audit to the “shalls”

any longer. Instead, they must follow theprocesses and interactions as defined by theorganization. The auditor’s job is first to con-duct a desk audit (document review) todetermine if the organization’s processesmeet the requirements of the TechnicalSpecification. Then the auditor must auditthe organization’s processes to determineif the organization is actually following itsprocesses. If the organization is followingits processes, and the processes meet therequirements of the Technical Specification,then it is a logical progression that the orga-nization is meeting the requirements of theTechnical Specification. This stipulationexists for both internal and third-party audits.

To plan for an audit, the organizationshould first define its processes. Secondly,the organization should make certain thatits quality management system and process-es meet the requirements of ISO/TS16949:2002. How can an organizationaccomplish this with a relative degree of comfort?

ProcessIdentificationTool

By Russ Hopkins

and Carla Kalogeridis

AIAG’s ProcessIdentification Tool aids suppliers in meeting therequirements of ISO/TS16949:2002 by providing astep-by-step approach.

ActionLINE Nov/Dec 2003 21

AIAG’s Process Identification ToolThe Process Identification Tool is a

matrix that maps the organization’s process-es to the ISO/TS 16949:2002 requirements.Simply put, it is an excellent starting pointfor companies that are transitioning toISO/TS 16949:2002.

Once the organization’s quality man-agement system and processes have beenidentified to meet all the requirements, therequirements manual is no longer needed.The document review can use the map ofprocesses to “shalls” to ensure coveragefor audit planning and oversight review.

Here is a summary of the step-by-stepapproach your organization will employwhen using the Process Identification Tool:

■ Read the instructions.■ Identify high-level organization

processes, e.g. marketing, product design,purchasing and sales. These may be customeroriented or not, but they are the majorprocesses in the company.

■ Identify lower-level processes, e.g. sup-plier development, stamping, marketresearch, etc.

Next, for each process, identify the fol-lowing:

■ Inputs (both internal and external)■ Outputs (the product of the process)■ Management responsibility (process

owner)■ Resource management (who does

what and what resources are needed)■ Product realization (steps taken to

produce/develop the product of the process)■ Measurement (what is measured

where and how)

SummaryThe AIAG Process Identification Tool

provides a sequential, process-basedapproach to identifying all the organiza-tion’s processes affecting product quality.Other benefits of the tool:

■ It aids in the initial document reviewfor the ISO/TS 16949:2002 registrationaudit; and

■ It helps identify the natural hierarchyof processes including major versus minorprocesses, a support process and a customer oriented process.

Just as important, the organization mustunderstand what the tool does not do. It doesnot ensure the organization’s quality man-agement system is effectively implemented.

It does not guarantee an audit free from non-conformances. And finally, it does not iden-tify interactions between processes.

AIAG’s ISO/TS 16949:2002 ProcessIdentification Tool is available as a freedownload at the organization’s Web site atwww.aiag.org. The tool is an excellentroadmap as you begin your journey toISO/TS 16949:2002 certification.

Russ Hopkins represents Ford on the SupplierQuality Requirements Task Force and on the

International Automotive Task Force for devel-opment of QS-9000 and ISO/TS 16949requirements. Hopkins had significant inputinto the development of ISO/TS 16949:2002Process Identification Tool and has partici-pated in several other related work teams. Heis currently a global process specialist in Ford'sSupplier Technical Assistance organization.Carla Kalogeridis is editor of ActionLINE. Formore information on AIAG quality initiatives,contact Karen Whitmore, program manager,at kwhitmore@aiag.org.