Corrective and preventive action, or CAPA, is a controlled process for removing the cause of an identified problem and addressing conditions that could create similar problems. Terminology and formal requirements vary by quality system.
The operating decision
Contain affected goods first. Then establish cause, action, owner, deadline, verification method and the scope of products or processes that may share the issue.
What to keep
Keep the problem statement, evidence, containment, root-cause work, action plan, implementation and effectiveness check.
| Area | What the record should show |
|---|---|
| Control | Contain affected goods first. Then establish cause, action, owner, deadline, verification method and the scope of products or processes that may share the issue. |
| Evidence | Keep the problem statement, evidence, containment, root-cause work, action plan, implementation and effectiveness check. |
| Tradeoff | Closing a task when the supplier submits a plan is premature. Closure should follow evidence that the action worked. |
A practical limitation
Closing a task when the supplier submits a plan is premature. Closure should follow evidence that the action worked.
Related definitions: supplier qualification, strategic sourcing, landed cost.
