Correction, Corrective Action, and Preventive Action as per ISO 9000
Normally we use the words Correction, Corrective Action (CA) and Preventive Action (PA) in a very loose sense and interchangeably. But they are essential components of the ISO 9000 quality management system, having specific meaning and purpose. management system standard. These actions are part of continuous improvement as well as Customer care and satisfaction. They help organizations identify and correct problems in their processes, products, and services, and prevent them from recurring in the future.
CORRECTION
Let us first use the term Correction. It is most misunderstood term and it is normally not used. Instead the term corrective action is used, which is a misnomer. In quality parlance, “correction” refers to the act of rectifying a problem or non-conformance that has been identified in a product, process, or service. The purpose of correction is to bring the non-conformance into compliance with the desired requirements or specifications. In simple words, it is the action taken to remove the immediate dissatisfaction of the customer by addressing the immediate complaint.
Correction is typically a reactive process that is initiated after a non-conformance has been identified through customer complaints, internal audits, quality reviews, or any other means. It involves taking immediate action to address the non-conformance and prevent it from continuing or recurring in the future.
Examples of correction may include:
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Replacing a defective or non-conforming product with a conforming one
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Repairing a faulty component or system
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Modifying a process to eliminate a non-conformance
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Re-training employees to ensure compliance with quality standards
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Corrective Action, on the other hand, is a systematic process for identifying, analyzing, and resolving existing problems, errors, or non-conformance that have been identified. The goal of corrective action is to address the root cause of a problem and prevent its recurrence. Preventing the recurrence is the keyword.
A company needs to establish a systematic process for The Corrective Action which involves the following steps:
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Identify the problem or non-conformance: A problem or non-conformance is identified through customer complaints, internal audits, quality reviews, or any other means.
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Analyze the problem: The problem is analyzed to determine the root cause, including why the problem occurred, what factors contributed to it, and what its impact was.
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Develop and implement a corrective action plan: A corrective action plan is developed to address the root cause of the problem. The plan includes a clear and specific description of the corrective action to be taken, who will be responsible for taking it, when it will be completed, and how the effectiveness of the action will be evaluated.
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Monitor and review the corrective action: The corrective action plan is monitored and reviewed to ensure that the action taken is effective in addressing the root cause and preventing the problem from recurring.
PREVENTIVE ACTION
While Corrective Action is taken to avoid the recurrence of a problem, Preventive Action is a proactive process for identifying and addressing potential problems, errors, or non-conformance before they occur. The goal of preventive action is to eliminate the root cause of a potential problem and prevent it from occurring in the first place.
The Preventive Action process involves the following steps:
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Identify potential problems or non-conformance: Potential problems or non-conformance are identified through risk assessments, process mapping, trend analysis, or any other means.
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Analyze the potential problem: The potential problem is analyzed to determine the root cause, including why the problem might occur, what factors might contribute to it, and what its impact might be.
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Develop and implement a preventive action plan: A preventive action plan is developed to address the root cause of the potential problem. The plan includes a clear and specific description of the preventive action to be taken, who will be responsible for taking it, when it will be completed, and how the effectiveness of the action will be evaluated.
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Monitor and review the preventive action: The preventive action plan is monitored and reviewed to ensure that the action taken is effective in addressing the root cause and preventing the potential problem from occurring.
In summary, Corrective Action and Preventive Action are important tools for maintaining and improving the quality of an organization’s products, services, and processes. By identifying and addressing the root cause of problems and potential problems, organizations can reduce waste, improve customer satisfaction, and increase their bottom line.