Risk management is a requirement in several clauses of the IATF 16949 Automotive standard. It is introduced as risk-based-thinking early in the standard at clause 0.3.3 and the main requirements for risk management are later outlined in two clauses 6.1 and 6.1.2.1.
- Clause 6.1, Actions to address risks and opportunities.
- This clause addresses the risks and opportunities when planning for the quality management system
- Clause 6.1.2.1 Risk analysis.
- This clause requires that companies include in their risk analysis, lessons learned from product recalls, product audits, field returns and repairs, complaints, scrap, and rework, and retain documented information as evidence of the results of risk analysis.
Our risk management exercise will take you through the analysis of risks for the product realization steps required for your products. The exercise is intended to provide a simple approach to risk management that can be applied to all types of automotive products where risks can vary and be very different depending on the nature of the products.
For example, the risk analysis for a door arm rest can reveal simple conclusions with simple solutions, while more complex products such as brake system components and assemblies can yield conclusions and solutions that could be very technical and complicated. Education in risk management is available through training seminars to address your specific situation.
However, a cost-effective approach is to review the information that we provide on this web page and begin the process with our risk analysis exercise. The risk analysis exercise starts with the preparation of process flow diagrams to describe the activities/steps. It continues with the use of an 8-column risk management worksheet that takes you through a series of information gathering actions designed to assist you in deciding whether or not a process step is at risk and taking appropriate corrective actions. Optional risk analysis methods and worksheets are provided as part of the exercise and you can choose the one best suited for your organization.
With the risk management package, you will:
- See how flow charts play a role in risk analysis.
- Learn how risks can be introduced at the process steps.
- Describe existing and new risks.
- Assess the significance of described risks.
- Determine if a next step in the process will eliminate or reduce the risks.
- Describe the controls that are in place to eliminate or reduce the risks.
- Decide when a process step is at risk, and
- Take corrective action
The risk management package contains:
- 40-page Risk Analysis Exercise (MS Word)
- 30-slide presentation of the risk analysis exercise
- Risk and opportunity / Risk analysis worksheets
- Project planning worksheet.
