APQP

APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) is the structured, phase-gated quality-planning framework codified by the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and now widely adopted across regulated manufacturing. It walks a new product from concept through pre-launch with mandatory deliverables — design FMEA, process FMEA, control plan, measurement systems analysis, PPAP — so that risk is reduced before the first saleable part ships.

What it covers

• Five phases — plan, product design and development, process design and development, product and process validation, feedback and corrective action.
• Mandatory deliverables including DFMEA, PFMEA, control plans, MSA, capability studies, and the PPAP submission package.
• Cross-functional team ownership across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supplier development.
• Gate reviews that tie quality readiness to NPI milestones.
• Tight coupling to PPAP — PPAP is the customer-facing evidence pack APQP produces.

Relationships (see sidebar)

• Depends on the FMEA, PPAP, and QMS capabilities — APQP is the planning method that orchestrates them.
• Supports the New Product Introduction, Quality Management, and Supplier Quality Management processes.
• Sits alongside related quality frameworks like IATF 16949 and AIAG-VDA harmonized FMEA.