Get to know VDA 6.3 process audits and avoid quality problems

In the automotive industry, competitiveness is a matter of quality. Identifying risks early and maintaining process excellence is key to constantly delivering reliable results. 

The VDA 6.3 process audit provides supplier quality engineers (SQEs) with guidelines to systematically assess processes, uncover inefficiencies, and drive meaningful improvements. A comprehensive VDA 6.3 process audit checklist is a SQE’s go-to framework for pinpointing quality problems and ensuring suppliers meet the highest standards. 

Ever felt lost in the labyrinth of VDA 6.3 process audits? Learn more about this crucial automotive industry standard and sharpen your audit strategies with this article. 

What is VDA 6.3?

VDA 6.3 is an essential framework for ensuring process quality in the automotive industry, developed by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). This standard provides a structured approach for conducting process audits across the supply chain to identify risks, inefficiencies, and quality problems, from planning and production to delivery.

Utilizing tools like the VDA 6.3 P1 checklist, auditors systematically evaluate key areas, such as supplier processes and production workflows, allowing organizations to implement targeted improvements, and keep compliance with both internal and industry-wide standards.

VDA 6.3 process audit’s core phases

VDA 6.3 has a structured approach that covers seven phases. These phases are divided based on covering all aspects and entities of an organization, in order to ensure a smooth operation and fix existing gaps or flaws in the manufacturing process.

• P1: Potential Analysis

• P2: Project Management

• P3: Planning Product and Process Development

• P4: Product and Process Development

• P5: Supplier Management

• P6: Process Analysis and Production Control

• P7: Customer Service

VDA 6.3 process audit breakdown

To effectively apply the VDA 6.3 process audit, it’s crucial to understand its structure and focus areas. Begin by dividing the evaluation in three main stages: pre-audit, audit execution, and post-audit. We recommend that you consider the following aspects for each one.

Pre-audit

• Review latest VDA 6.3 guidelines and audit criteria
• Identify the process to be audited
• Gather relevant documentation and data
• Prepare an audit team and schedule

Audit execution

• Conduct opening meetings with auditees
• Verify process documentation and implementation
• Identify any deviations and non-conformances
• Record observations and findings
• Conduct a closing meeting and present findings

Post-audit

• Develop a corrective action plan
• Monitor implementation of corrective actions
• Close non-conformances
• Prepare and submit an audit report

Recognizing the evaluation criteria

The VDA 6.3 audit assess processes against specific criteria, including:

• Effectiveness: Does the process achieve its intended goals?
• Efficiency: Is the process optimized for time and resources?
• Capability: Can the process consistently produce conforming products?
• Compliance: Does the process adhere to all relevant standards and regulations?
• Continual improvement: Does the organization have a system for identifying and implementing improvements?

Avoid quality problems and strive for continuous improvement

Proactivity is the key to efficiently implementing the VDA 6.3 process audit, as it is a journey towards continuous improvement. By embracing its principles you can:

• Enhance product quality and competitiveness
• Reduce costs and minimize waste
• Strengthen customer satisfaction

VDA 6.3 may seem daunting, but you can turn it into an opportunity for achieving excellence with commitment, preparation and the right tools. Streamline your quality management processes with Kiuey’s on-demand, cloud-based, software solution. 

Schedule a demo for free today and discover a new way to avoid quality problems while upholding the most important industry standards, like VDA 6.3.