Quality glossary
Decode the quality assurance acronyms and terms you encounter every day. Search or browse to align terminology across your teams and suppliers.
The glossary will expand automatically in KaizenQ as you add templates and corrective actions.
8D report
A structured eight-discipline problem-solving method used to contain, correct, and prevent quality issues.
AQL (Acceptance Quality Limit)
A statistical quality control metric that defines the maximum acceptable defect rate during sampling inspections.
Audit trail
A chronological record that captures every quality event, decision, and data change for compliance and traceability.
CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action)
A closed-loop process for eliminating root causes of quality issues and preventing their recurrence.
CAR (Corrective Action Report)
A formal record describing a non-conformance, its root cause, and the actions taken to resolve it.
Check sheet
A structured form used to collect data in real time, often as part of the seven basic quality tools.
COC (Certificate of Conformity)
A document confirming that goods meet specified standards, regulations, or buyer requirements.
Control plan
A documented roadmap describing how critical product or process characteristics will be monitored and controlled.
Cpk (Process Capability Index)
A statistical indicator showing how well a process stays within specification limits relative to its variation.
Final Random Inspection (FRI)
A last quality checkpoint performed on finished goods pulled randomly before shipment.
First Article Inspection (FAI)
A comprehensive verification of the first production run to confirm the process can produce parts that meet specifications.
FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)
A risk assessment method for identifying potential failures, their causes, and their effects before production issues occur.
Gemba walk
A structured visit to the production floor where leaders observe work, ask questions, and identify improvement opportunities.
In-Process Quality Control (IPQC)
Monitoring and verifying quality characteristics while production is underway.
Incoming Quality Control (IQC)
Inspection and verification of raw materials and components before they enter production.
Kaizen event
A focused, short-term improvement workshop that targets a specific process or quality challenge.
Layered process audit (LPA)
A structured audit system where leaders at different levels review critical process checkpoints on a rotating cadence.
LCL / UCL (Lower and Upper Control Limits)
The statistical boundaries on control charts that signal when a process may be shifting out of control.
Nonconformance report (NCR)
Documentation that records a deviation from specified requirements and the actions taken to resolve it.
OTIF (On-Time In-Full)
A supply chain performance metric combining delivery punctuality with order completeness.
PPM (Parts Per Million)
A defect rate metric expressing how many units out of one million are non-conforming.
Pre-Production Inspection (PPI)
A quality assessment performed before mass production begins to validate materials, tooling, and process readiness.
Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
A structured submission that proves a supplier can consistently meet customer engineering and quality requirements.
Quality Management System (QMS)
An organisational framework of policies, processes, and resources dedicated to achieving quality objectives.
RCA (Root Cause Analysis)
A structured investigation method used to identify the underlying causes of a problem or defect.
Risk Priority Number (RPN)
A score calculated by multiplying severity, occurrence, and detection ratings to prioritise risks in FMEA.
SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)
A documented instruction that defines how to perform a task consistently and safely.
Statistical Process Control (SPC)
A method of using statistical techniques to monitor and control processes by tracking variation over time.
Supplier Corrective Action Request (SCAR)
A formal request asking a supplier to investigate and resolve a quality issue that impacted delivered goods.
Supplier Quality Management (SQM)
The strategy and processes used to evaluate, monitor, and improve supplier performance.
Traceability matrix
A document or system that links requirements to inspection steps, records, and approvals for full lineage tracking.
Looking for a definition that's missing? Email hello@kaizenq.io and we'll add it to the glossary.