Advanced Product Quality Planning, or APQP, is a method for new product or process introduction or the introduction of changes to existing product or processes. Developed by the North American Automotive Industry it is now being used as best practice by industrial sectors such as automotive, aerospace, renewable energy & mobile power generation.

The full Core Tools Certification is achieved by completing all 5 modules of Core Tools Certification Training (APQP, Control Plan, FMEA, SPC, MSA and PPAP) and upon successful completion of the exam. Modules can either be taken as consecutive days (which can be booked here) or individually.

More information about the contents of each module and Industry Forum’s upcoming module dates can be found here:

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Training
Statistical Process Control (SPC) Training
Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) Training
Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) Training

Please note: The statistical techniques used during the Measurement Systems Analysis course are covered in detail in our 1-day Statistical Process Control (SPC) programme. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you attend our SPC course before attending an MSA course unless you are already familiar with the statistical tools used.

This course is designed for Management Representatives, Implementation Teams, Internal Auditors and others who are involved in the auditing or implementation of Advanced Quality Planning (AQP) activities including Control Plans. Familiarity with Advanced Quality Planning (AQP) and related Core Tools would be beneficial but not necessary.

• APQP Process Overview
• 5 Phases of APQP
• Inputs and outputs for each of the 5 phases
• APQP linkages to Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Statistical Process Control (SPC), Measurement System Analysis (MSA) and Production Part Approval Process (PPA)
• Control Plan

APQP is used to support the introduction of new products and processes as well as managing changes to existing products and processes.

It is often mandated by automotive, aerospace and other engineering primary manufacturers as a specific requirement on their suppliers to give them assurance of effective and efficient product and process introduction. Companies that apply Advanced Product Quality Planning, gain improved efficiencies and reduced costs in new product/process introductions, with lower product defects and better on time delivery performance.

Delegates will become competent in implementing and auditing AQP and creating Control Plans and also develop an understanding of the links to SPC, MSA, FMEA and PPAP.

Upon completion of the course you will receive an Industry Forum certificate of attendance.