National Committee for Quality Management
Supplier Quality
Supplier relationships
Supplier quality begins with clear requirements and a shared understanding of responsibilities. Purchasing arrangements should support the evidence needed for acceptance and review.
Defining requirements
Specify what must be supplied, which technical documents apply and how changes will be communicated. Clarify the difference between a commercial preference and a mandatory requirement.
Selection and evaluation
An evaluation should address the supplier's relevance to the intended work. Define the scope, sources and limits of the information used.
Performance information
Interpret delivery, defect and response measures in context. Reporting methods, product mix and opportunities for detection can affect comparisons.
Changes
Changes in materials, processes, sites or subcontracting may affect established assumptions. Agreements should define notification and review responsibilities.
Improvement
Describe the problem precisely, examine causes and assess corrective actions. Closing an action administratively is separate from verifying its effect.
Responsible use of supplier claims
Check the scope and source of credentials or statements. An organizational relationship does not establish the performance of every supplied product.