IATF 16949 Certification & Audit Checklist

IATF 16949 consists of 10 sections where sections 1-3 are introductory that focuses on the scope, normative references, and terms and definitions, and the remaining seven deal with different aspects of quality and QMS. Based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, the seven sections pertaining to QMS focus on:

• QMS context of the organization, including interested parties and their requirements

• Leadership and top management’s commitment to QMS, corporate responsibility and quality policy

• Risk and opportunity planning such as preventive actions and contingency plans

• Resources and supporting processes to establish an effective QMS

• Operational requirements for planning and creating a product or service

• QMS performance evaluation

• QMS improvements

IATF 16949 implementations can be classified into two broad phases — internal and external.
The implementation process includes:

• Management and leadership planning

• GAP analysis

• Documentation of quality processes and policies

• Implementation and employee training

• Internal management review and audit

• Corrective action

• External 3rd party certification audit

With IATF 16949, organizations can showcase to their existing and potential customers their commitment to quality through a robust QMS. As a result, implementing IATF 16949 gives the organization the following advantages:

• Helps demonstrate the ability to produce products that consistently meet customer needs and other applicable statutory, regulatory, and product safety requirements

• Focuses on customer satisfaction

• Improves brand loyalty

• Creates new business opportunities globally

• Allows organizations to become more socially responsible

• Helps identify and address risks in the organization