Resources
Quality management, explained plainly.
Guides, definitions and answers for quality managers at small and mid-size manufacturers, from the team behind FactoryQA.
ComparisonBest QMS software for machine shops and job shops (2026)Nine QMS options for machine shops and job shops compared from vendor websites: pricing, AS9102 and ballooning, SPC, supplier portals and ERP fit.Supplier qualityAS9100 8.4.3 flow-down: what your purchase orders must sayWhat AS9100 clause 8.4.3 says to flow down to suppliers, with sample purchase order quality clauses and the DFARS, CMMC and ITAR clauses that often apply.Supplier qualityIncoming inspection for machine shopsA receiving inspection procedure for machine shops: paperwork checks, risk-based sampling with Z1.4 or c=0 plans, accept or reject, and supplier feedback.GuideMRB and dispositions: use as is, rework, repair, scrapHow a material review board decides on nonconforming parts: use as is, rework, repair, return, regrade or scrap, and what AS9100 requires for each.GuideAS9102 Form 3, field by field (Rev C)How to fill in AS9102 Form 3 field by field for Rev C: characteristic numbers, requirements, results, tooling and NCR numbers, plus partial FAI rules.Supplier qualityPPAP levels and the 18 elements, explainedPPAP levels 1 to 5 and all 18 AIAG PPAP elements in one table: what each level submits, what triggers a new PPAP, the PSW and interim approval.Supplier qualityHow to respond to a SCAR (with an 8D example)How to respond to a customer SCAR: containment, occurrence and escape root causes, corrective actions that get accepted, and a worked 8D example.Supplier qualitySCAR vs CAR vs CAPA vs 8D: what is the difference?NCR, CAR, SCAR, CAPA and 8D explained: what each one is, who owns it, when to open it and how they fit together, with a comparison table and an example.Supplier qualityCustomer complaints and supplier inspections in one QMSWhy customer complaints and incoming supplier inspections belong in the same QMS, how the loop between them closes, and what software should do for both.GuideQMS software for metal fabrication: what to look forWhat a metal fabrication shop should look for in QMS software: drawing-based inspection, welder qualifications, outside processors, NCRs, gages and PM.GuideWhy manufacturers outgrow paper-based quality systemsSeven signs a paper quality system is holding your plant back, what a digital QMS changes for compliance, visibility and speed, and how to switch safely.GuideHow to centralize quality in one cloud QMSWhy NCRs, audits, supplier inspections and reports fall apart in separate files, how they connect in one cloud QMS, and the order to bring them in.ComparisonCloud QMS software for small and mid-size manufacturers compared (2026)Seven cloud QMS platforms compared from public sources for small and mid-size manufacturers: NCR and CAPA, audits, inspection, dashboards, imports, pricing.ComparisonSupplier quality management software compared (2026)Seven supplier quality management platforms compared from public sources: supplier portals, SCARs, scorecards, certificates, PPAP, pricing and AI.ComparisonFactoryQA vs Intellect QMS: pricing and featuresFactoryQA vs Intellect QMS compared from public sources: published starting prices, supplier portal, SCARs, inspection, SPC, ERP connectors and AI.ComparisonFactoryQA vs ComplianceQuest: features and pricingFactoryQA vs ComplianceQuest compared from public sources: Salesforce platform, pricing, supplier portal, APQP, inspection and ERP connections.ComparisonFactoryQA vs MasterControl for manufacturersFactoryQA vs MasterControl compared from public sources: life sciences vs discrete manufacturing, pricing, supplier quality, PPAP, SPC and AS9102.ComparisonFactoryQA vs ETQ Reliance (now Octave Reliance)FactoryQA vs ETQ Reliance, now Octave Reliance, compared from public sources: pricing, supplier quality, APQP and PPAP, inspection, calibration and AI.ComparisonFactoryQA vs 1factory: pricing and features comparedFactoryQA vs 1factory compared from public sources: published pricing and minimums, supplier portal, SCARs, inspection, maintenance, ERP connections and AI.ComparisonFactoryQA vs QT9 QMS: pricing and features comparedFactoryQA vs QT9 QMS compared from public sources: pricing, free trial, supplier portal, PPAP, APQP, SPC and AS9102, calibration, ERP connections and AI.Supplier qualityCounterfeit parts prevention for manufacturersWhat AS9100D clause 8.1.4 asks for on counterfeit parts, and the sourcing, receiving, quarantine and training controls that keep suspect parts out.Supplier qualityControlling outsourced special processesHow to control outsourced special processes such as heat treat, plating, welding and NDT: qualified sources, complete orders, evidence and supplier audits.Supplier qualitySupplier PPAP: how to request, review and approveWhen to request a supplier PPAP, how to choose the submission level, what to check in each element, and the most common reasons PPAPs get rejected.Supplier qualityHow to plan and run supplier auditsHow to choose which suppliers to audit, prepare a risk-weighted checklist, score findings consistently and turn every finding into a tracked corrective action.Supplier qualityWhen to bring in outside help for supplier qualitySigns your supplier quality team is stretched, the work outside specialists handle well, from audits and PPAP to SCARs and training, and what to keep in house.Supplier qualityKeeping supplier certificates and self-assessments currentHow to track supplier ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF 16949 and Nadcap certificates before they expire, and how annual self-assessments flag supplier risk early.Supplier qualitySupplier scorecards: what to measure and how to weight itHow to build a supplier scorecard: what to measure, how to weight quality, delivery and responsiveness, and how to turn scores into buying decisions.Supplier qualityHow to write a SCAR suppliers actually answerWhat a supplier corrective action request should contain, how to judge the root cause and corrective action you get back, and how to stop chasing late SCARs.Supplier qualitySupplier qualification checklistWhat to check before a supplier joins your approved supplier list: scope, risk, certificates, self-assessment, audit, first article and the decision.Supplier qualityHow to build a supplier quality programThe six pieces of a supplier quality program, from requirements and qualification to SCARs and development, and the order to build them in.