Support-Resource Management
To make it easier for organizations to understand the unique requirements of IATF 16949 from ISO 9001, all supplementary requirements for the Automotive Industry (IATF 16949) will be in italics.
The Scope of Resource Management includes:
- People
- Infrastructure (Facilities, technology and equipment)
- Environment (Social, psychological and physical)
- Monitoring and Measuring Resources
When you are looking at the resources in regards to the requirements of the QMS, your organization needs to ask whether these resources are sufficient to create quality products or service and customer satisfaction. When you have your scheduled audit, the auditors will look to see if there are a lack of resources and if these are the root cause of nonconformities. Providing adequate resources is a core element of your QMS.
People
People are an important part of the way your business operates, and the QMS creates a system to make sure that your organization has the right people in the right positions; checks to see if there are enough people, and to check employees qualifications to to make sure they have the correct skills. If your employee is in a position they are unqualified for, you have a human resource nonconformance, and the organization must provide training, and ensure that the training is effective.
Infrastructure
Auditors will evaluate the buildings, workspaces, equipment and supporting services to determine that they meet the requirements.
Additionally for IATF 16949, Sub-clause 7.1.3.1 addresses Plant, Facility and equipment planning: the organization is required to use a multidisciplinary approach which includes risk identification and risk mitigation. This approach is used for developing and improving plant, facility and equipment plans. The goal for this approach is to improve material flow, handling and create more efficient use of space, while also facilitating material flow.
Environment
Environmental factors are crucial for your QMS, when the environment is suitable, it can improve social, psychological or physical factors. When you have an audit, the auditor will look for environmental issues that may be inadequate and be a root cause of a nonconformance.
IATF 16949 takes the environment a step further by stating that the organization is required to keep its facilities in a state of order, cleanliness and repair.
Monitoring and Measuring Resources
7.1.5.1 Measurement Systems Analysis
Statistical studies must be conducted to analyze the variation between the results of each inspection, measurement and test equipment. All analytical methods that are used must conform to those in reference manuals on measurement system analysis. Other methods may be, but only if it is approved by the customer.
7.1.5.2.1 Calibration/Verification Records
The organization is required to have a documented process for managing their calibration/verification records.
7.1.5.3.1 Internal Laboratory
All internal laboratories are required to have a defined scope that include its ability to perform any inspection, test or calibration. The scope of the laboratory must be included in the QMS.
7.1.5.3.2 External Laboratory
Under IATF 16949, external laboratories regardless if they are commercial or independent that are used for inspection, testing or calibration by the organization must have a defined scope which state the capability to perform the required inspection, test or calibration.