Glossary of Terms

Term	Definition
CAR	Corrective Action Request — a formal request to investigate a nonconformity and eliminate its root cause
Calibration	Comparing an instrument's measurements against a known standard to ensure accuracy
Corrective Action	Action taken to eliminate the cause of a detected nonconformity and prevent recurrence
KPI	Key Performance Indicator — a measurable value that demonstrates how effectively an objective is being achieved
NCR	Nonconformity Report — a documented instance where a product, process, or system does not meet specified requirements
OFI	Observation for Improvement — an identified opportunity to improve that is not a formal nonconformity
PAR	Preventive Action Request — action taken to eliminate the cause of a potential nonconformity before it occurs
PDCA	Plan-Do-Check-Act — a four-stage management method for continuous improvement
PII	Personally Identifiable Information — any data that could identify a specific individual
QMS	Quality Management System — a formalized system that documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving quality policies and objectives
RLS	Row-Level Security — database-level access control ensuring users can only see their own organization's data
SCAR	Supplier Corrective Action Request — a CAR issued to a supplier for quality issues with their products or services
SLA	Service Level Agreement — a commitment to respond to or resolve an issue within a defined timeframe
SOP	Standard Operating Procedure — a documented set of step-by-step instructions for carrying out routine operations
SWOT	Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats — a strategic planning framework
PESTLE	Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental — a framework for analyzing external factors