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NCR Types & Sources Reference

NCR Types

TypeAbbreviationDescription
Nonconformity ReportNCRA deviation from a specified requirement (product, process, or system)
Corrective Action RequestCARFormal request to eliminate the cause of a detected nonconformity and prevent recurrence
Preventive Action RequestPARAction to eliminate the cause of a potential nonconformity to prevent occurrence
Observation for ImprovementOFIAn identified opportunity to improve (not a nonconformity)
ComplaintComplaintCustomer complaint requiring investigation and resolution
Supplier Corrective Action RequestSCARCorrective action request issued to a supplier for quality issues with their products/services

NCR Sources

SourceDescription
AuditIssue found during an internal or external audit
CustomerIssue reported by a customer (complaint, feedback, return)
SupplierIssue found with a supplier's product or service
ProcessIssue found during process monitoring or operation
InspectionIssue found during incoming, in-process, or final inspection
CalibrationIssue found during equipment calibration
KPIIssue triggered by a KPI exceeding its failure threshold
ManualIssue logged manually by a team member

Root Cause Analysis Methods

MethodDescription
5-WhyAsking "Why?" repeatedly (typically 5 times) to drill down to the root cause
Fishbone (Ishikawa)Cause-and-effect diagram categorizing potential causes (Man, Machine, Method, Material, Measurement, Environment)
Fault TreeTop-down deductive analysis of system failures using logic gates
ParetoAnalysis identifying the vital few causes that contribute to the majority of problems (80/20 rule)
FMEAFailure Mode and Effects Analysis — systematic evaluation of potential failure modes
OtherAny other analysis method not listed above

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