If a process improvement team is addressing rejected parts from a supplier, what should they do first?

The most appropriate course of action for a process improvement team addressing rejected parts from a supplier is to require the supplier to provide a certificate of conformance. This certificate assures that the delivered parts meet the specified requirements and standards necessary for quality. By obtaining this certification, the team can establish a baseline for the acceptable quality level of incoming products, allowing them to better assess the consistency and reliability of the supplier’s offerings.

This step also encourages communication and collaboration with the supplier, fostering a partnership to ensure compliance with quality standards moving forward. It sets the foundation for resolving the issue thoroughly, as any further actions, such as inspections or reviews of specifications, would build on this essential understanding of what complies with the requirement.

Initiating with a certificate of conformance also helps to avoid unnecessary delays that could arise from inspecting every part or outright rejecting all lots, which could strain the supplier relationship and disrupt the supply chain. This leads to a more efficient path towards resolving the quality concerns effectively.