PPAP deliverable guide

How to complete Initial Process Studies

Initial process studies provide statistical evidence about the process’s ability or performance for specified characteristics. The customer defines the required study, index, sample size, and acceptance criteria.

Complete the fields

Characteristic and specification
Identify the product or process characteristic, units, specification limits, target, and source record.
Process definition
Record machine or line, tooling, cavity, operation, material lot, date, and production conditions.
Measurement system
Identify the approved measurement method and applicable MSA status.
Data and stability evidence
Show the individual data, subgroup or time sequence, and stability analysis required by the selected method.
Index, criterion, and conclusion
Report the required capability or performance index, the customer criterion, conclusion, and containment or action for unacceptable results.

Step-by-step completion sequence

  1. Confirm production-representative conditions and an acceptable measurement system.
  2. Use the customer-required characteristic list, method, and sampling plan.
  3. Collect traceable data in time order and assess stability before interpreting indices.
  4. Calculate and report results using the required statistical procedure.
  5. Contain and improve any unacceptable condition; do not conceal special causes or excluded data.
PPAP control point: The customer’s current submission request, customer-specific requirements, and approved forms control. This guide explains a practical way to prepare the record; it does not authorize a substitute format or acceptance criterion.