APQP Software
for Advanced Product Quality Planning
inforum implements advance quality planning as an end-to-end process chain: project plans, VDA maturity levels, FMEA, control plans, and sample approval all operate on a single database rather than in separate systems. Suppliers are directly integrated into the project structure.
The APQP process within one system
Quality is built into the planning stage, not during mass production. APQP implements this principle across five phases, with evaluation points at each transition and a continuous chain of evidence. IATF 16949 makes this advance planning mandatory in the automotive industry.
The APQP module from inforum fully maps this process. Project plans with steps, tasks, and milestones structure the product development process; VDA maturity level verification is documented throughout the project; and for customers in an international context, reviews can be conducted in accordance with the AIAG standard. Customers and suppliers work within the same project structure, ensuring that agreed-upon actions and deadlines are visible to all parties at the same time.
Through the integration of additional inforum modules, data flows from FMEA and sampling flow directly into the APQP project. Quality assurance measures are documented as they are implemented. This means that deviations are identified during development rather than only at the start of series production, when corrections become significantly more expensive.
APQP module overview
- Project structure
Project plans map out steps, tasks, and milestones throughout the entire development process. Dependencies between steps determine which tasks run in parallel and which follow one another. Large-scale projects can be broken down into subprojects that are managed independently but remain visible within the overall project timeline. - Project templates
Recurring project types are launched from a predefined structure that includes process steps, planned durations, and milestones. This streamlines project setup and ensures that similar projects follow the same pattern. - Maturity level and schedule monitoring
VDA maturity levels are tracked throughout the project and can be viewed at any time. Comparing planned and actual deadlines highlights delays in the relevant project phase before they reach the next milestone. Missed deadlines and outstanding tasks are flagged right where they occur. - Responsibilities and collaboration
Each project step includes a due date and the person responsible, both internally and on the supplier side. All participants see the same progress status, without the need to coordinate via email attachments or deal with conflicting versions. - Records and documentation
Results, actions, and documents are assigned to the respective project phase and stored in versioned form. This ensures that, at any given time, it is possible to verify the current status and who approved it, both for internal reviews and during customer audits. - Compliant with VDA and AIAG
Maturity assessment according to VDA and reviews according to the AIAG standard are conducted within the same project; sampling is performed either according to VDA PPF or AIAG PPAP. Suppliers whose customers operate under different sets of regulations do not maintain a second process. - Modular design
APQP is a module of the inforum management software and works with FMEA, control plan, sampling, and complaint management on a single database. The platform can be expanded with additional modules as needed.
Advanced Product Quality Planning with inforum
Maturity level always up to date
Transparency throughout all project phases
Cross-module data
Frequently asked questions about APQP software
What does an APQP project in inforum entail?
A project maps out the five APQP phases, including project steps, tasks, and milestones. Responsibilities, deadlines, and the maturity level assessment for each phase are documented. Through the module link, characteristics from the FMEA, test specifications from the Control Plan, and documentation from the sampling process are incorporated into the same project.
What does APQP stand for?
APQP stands for Advanced Product Quality Planning. This standard, developed by the AIAG, structures the product development process into five phases and shifts the focus of quality assurance to the planning and development stages. In German-speaking countries, it is most commonly applied in the form of VDA maturity level assessment.
For which industries is APQP relevant?
APQP originated in the automotive industry, where it is mandatory under IATF 16949. The phased approach is also increasingly being applied in mechanical and plant engineering, as well as in regulated sectors such as medical technology, albeit with varying levels of documentation.
What are the phases of an APQP process?
Planning, product design, process design, product and process validation, as well as feedback and corrections after the start of series production. Each phase concludes with an evaluation that determines whether the next phase will be approved.
What does "maturity level assurance" mean according to the VDA?
Maturity assessment evaluates, at defined points in time, whether a development project has reached the agreed-upon stage. The assessment focuses not on the schedule but on the content: whether the FMEA, control plan, test equipment, and supporting documentation are in place. The customer specifies the maturity levels and verifies them throughout the course of the project.
How are APQP and sample approval related?
Sampling concludes the validation phase and verifies that mass production meets the required characteristics. In inforum, it accesses the characteristics and test results from the current project, so that the initial sample test report is generated based on the project history.
inforum for your APQP Projects
Every company has its own processes and requirements. That’s why getting started with inforum begins with a discussion in which we take time for you. Get to know inforum based on your specific processes and requirements and let our team support you from the first question through to successful implementation.
