Explore How You Can Create and Process Nonconformances Using a Simple Workflows!

A company constantly deals with quality non-conformances. Failure to manage them correctly may lead to significant efficiency and productivity losses. They may also slow down the continuous improvement of organizations. You can control the problem better by learning how to create and process nonconformance management system in this blog.

Before we move on, let's review the basics.

How do you define non-conformance?

The term 'non-conformance' refers to something (a product, process, output, piece of work), which fails to meet specifications or requirements defined by a customer, regulatory body, internal procedure, or contract between two or more parties.

A non-conformance can result in extreme costs for:

A producer or supplier that invests a lot of time and money upfront in the materials.

Contractors and subcontractors who use other companies goods and services.

Those injured, affected, or killed by high-context nonconformances.

Is there a standardized procedure for handling non-conformances?

Documenting non-conformances, taking action to correct them, and identifying the root causes of similar non-conformances is the goal of a non-conformance procedure.

You can follow proper non-conformance procedure using the non-conformance report (NCR) you see below. This is also how most companies document, follow up on, and track non-conformances in practice.

It is significant to note that this non-conformance process includes several key elements:

The identification and documentation of nonconformance (with photos as proof)

Identification of the nonconformance's cause (supplier, contractor)

Taking corrective action as recommended

Analyze root causes

Actions to prevent nonconformance from occurring in the future

Once all nonconformity issues have been resolved, close out signatures

This documentation provides a framework for documenting non-conformance procedures and helps construct a framework that everyone can use to deal with non-conformances.

Streamlining the nonconformance process using software

Managing the nonconformance processes manually can be logistically challenging.

Non-conformances must be handled appropriately by each responsible party.

Using Nonconformance Management software system can automate much of the work and processes involved in dealing with nonconformances. This is due to their repetitive and consistent nature.

By using software to manage NC workflows, you can automate the process of dealing with nonconformances from beginning to end.

An automated flowchart for non-conformances can be used instead of PDF documents, emails, and phone calls.

The process works as follows.

Inspectors, auditors, and workers create non-conformances, which enter the workflow.

As soon as this identifier signs off on the nonconformance, confirming that it has been captured and documented, the nonconformance report is submitted to the approver, who is instantly notified that the nonconformance is ready for evaluation and approval.

In response to the report, the manager confirms the corrective and preventative measures, agrees with the responsible party, and signs off.

A non-conformity issue may be handled externally (by a subcontractor or supplier) or internally (by internal parties).

A nonconformance management software solution will move into the closed column once the corrective action is completed and approved.

With nonconformance software, the collaboration between steps is automated, and approval signatures trigger the collaboration, eliminating the need to navigate between documents, systems, and conversations constantly.

Using Qualityze EQMS to reduce non-conformances

Non-conformances can be tracked, identified, and corrected faster with the help of the Qualityze EQMS system.

Qualityze EQMS of nonconformance management software allows customers to detect nonconformances in real-time and minimize their impact through real-time data. The nonconformance can also be analyzed in detail using detailed information and tools.

By utilizing our nonconformance management solution, companies can increase the agility of their decision-making and corrective action processes, improve customer service levels and competitiveness, reduce non-quality costs, and adhere to their continual improvement processes.

Please contact our customer success team for more information about how we can assist you with quality nonconformance management software.

The Bottom Line

Managing nonconformances using paper-based or outdated solutions can add more complexity to the overall process of quality management. The enormous records, stringent compliance requirements, and changing business landscape push businesses to implement a next-generation EQMS of nonconformance management software like Qualityze.

The right EQMS solution of nonconformance management software can transform the way you manage product defects, deviations, and nonconformances while meeting compliance with applicable regulatory standards.