NPI and APQP

Advanced Product Quality Planning, or APQP, is a process to lead a development team from

program requirements to validated designs and manufacturing processes by improving quality

through on-going feedback, assessment and corrective action. Continuous improvements to our current products also drive excellence to product upgrades and/or new product. The steps of APQP are embedded into NPI process. APQP provides a common path and

language, synchronizes product development activities and ensures continuous and adequate

communication throughout the entire supply chain. APQP completeness is measured in the

Quality section of the NPI Dashboard.

NPI and 6 Sigma

The NPI process builds on the 6 Sigma product and process creation methodology, DMEDI.

Design, Measure, Explore, Develop and Implement (DMEDI) is embedded within the NPI process,

ensuring that energy and resources are invested early in an NPI program. The NPI process is

structured in phases like DMEDI; however, more specific phases are present within the NPI

process. Any NPI program that follows the NPI process also meets all of the 6 Sigma project

criteria

NPI Gateway Review Process Overview

A new gateway review process has been implemented that calls for a common process to be

utilized by all Prime Product and System NPI teams at all gateway reviews. The new process was

implemented reduce inconsistencies and ensure critical information is documented and

communicated consistently across the enterprise. This standard work ensures that program

status is consistently evaluated and communicated to appropriate stakeholders in a timely

manner.

The Gateway Review process consists of (3) activities:

•

Prepare Gateway Review Material

•

Conduct Gateway Review• Capture and Communicate Gateway Decisions

Prime Product or Systems NPI Programs

Historically, the NPI process concentrates on products that are sold to dealers or customers

outside Manufacturer. This process is now being referred to as the “Prime Product NPI process.”

Automotive  products created exclusively for and transferred to Prime Product NPI programs

(system organizations) have had difficulty following the Prime Product NPI process. To better meet

the needs of system organizations, a new “Systems NPI process.” This process meets the specific

needs and concerns of system NPI teams.

Three types of activities now exist in the NPI processes:

- Activities common to both (designated as Prime Product and Systems, or PPS)

- Activities that are unique to Prime Product programs (designated as Prime Product, or PP)

- Activities that are unique to System programs (designated as Systems, or S)