Quality Management & CAQ Glossary | Terms Explained Simply

This glossary explains key terms related to CAQ software,
quality management, and quality assurance.

CAQ (Computer Aided Quality)

A CAQ system is a software solution for the digital support of
quality management and quality assurance processes.

See also:
What is a CAQ system?
CAQ Software

Quality Management (QM)

Quality management includes all organizational measures for planning,
controlling, and improving the quality of products and processes.

See also:
What is quality management?

Quality Assurance (QA)

Quality assurance refers to operational measures such as inspections and controls
to identify or prevent defects at an early stage.

See also:
Producing quality instead of inspecting it

APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning)

APQP is a method for structured advanced quality planning within the
product realization process.

See also:
What is APQP?
APQP Software

FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)

FMEA is used for the systematic identification and evaluation of potential
failures in products or processes.

See also:
What is FMEA?
FMEA Software

Control Plan

A Control Plan describes how quality-relevant characteristics are monitored
within the production process.

See also:
What is a Control Plan?
Control Plan Software

Inspection Planning

Inspection planning defines which characteristics are inspected, when, how,
and with which equipment.

See also:
What is inspection planning?

Inspection Equipment Management

Inspection equipment management includes the administration, calibration,
and monitoring of measuring and inspection equipment.

See also:
What is inspection equipment management?
Inspection Equipment Management Software

Audit

An audit is a systematic review of processes, systems, or products
based on defined requirements.

See also:
What is an audit?
Audit Management Software

Action Management

Action management ensures that corrective and improvement actions
are planned, implemented, and tracked.

See also:
What is action management?
Action Management Software

Complaint Management

Complaint management focuses on the structured handling of
customer or supplier complaints.

See also:
What is complaint management?
Complaint Management Software

SPC (Statistical Process Control)

SPC uses statistical methods to monitor and stabilize
production processes.

See also:
What is SPC?
SPC Software

Incoming Goods

Incoming goods inspection refers to the inspection and evaluation of delivered materials
before further processing.

See also:
What are incoming goods?
Incoming Goods Inspection Software

Outgoing Goods

Outgoing goods inspection ensures that only inspected and approved products
are delivered.

See also:
What are outgoing goods?
Outgoing Goods Inspection Software