Nonconformance Report (NCR)

Nonconformance Report (NCR) is the data object recording a discrepancy between an observed product or process condition and a specified requirement — a part out of tolerance, a missing operation, an unauthorized substitution, a documentation gap. NCRs capture the what, where, when, and how detected, drive disposition (use-as-is, rework, repair, scrap, return-to-vendor), and feed into CAPA when the root cause warrants systemic correction.

What it covers

• Detection metadata — discoverer, location, lot/serial, related part number.
• Description and supporting evidence — measurements, photos, attachments.
• Disposition — Material Review Board (MRB) decision: scrap, rework, repair, RTV, use-as-is.
• Cost capture — scrap value, rework hours, recovery costs.
• Linkage to deviation, CAPA, supplier SCAR, design change, and audit findings.

Relationships (see sidebar)

• Supports Quality Management, Manufacturing Execution, and Supplier Quality Management.
• Dependency of CAPA — repeated or systemic NCRs escalate into CAPA investigations.
• Closely related to Deviation (planned departure) versus NCR (unplanned departure).