--- title: Controlling outsourced special processes | FactoryQA description: "How to control outsourced special processes such as heat treat, plating, welding and NDT: qualified sources, complete orders, evidence and supplier audits." image: https://factoryqa.com/hubfs/fqa-og-res-controlling-special-processes.png --- [![FactoryQA](https://factoryqa.com/hubfs/fqa-logo-white.png)](https://factoryqa.com/) Features [**Platform overview**Every module, and how they connect](https://factoryqa.com/feature-overview)[**AI features**Purpose-built AI in every module](https://factoryqa.com/ai-powered-quality-management)[**Integrations**ERP connectors and imports](https://factoryqa.com/integrations) [**Dashboard**Every module in one scorecard](https://factoryqa.com/products/qualitybi-dashboard)[**Tasks**Every to-do, from every module](https://factoryqa.com/products/task-management)[**Compliance**Readiness for your standard](https://factoryqa.com/products/compliance)[**Quality Plans**Ballooning, PFMEA, control plans, PPAP](https://factoryqa.com/products/quality-plans)[**Documents**Revisions, approvals, sign-offs](https://factoryqa.com/products/document-control)[**Issues**NCRs, CAPAs and SCARs](https://factoryqa.com/products/non-conformance-management)[**Inspection**Sheets, first articles and SPC](https://factoryqa.com/products/inspection-sheets)[**Calibration**Gages, due dates and Gage R&R](https://factoryqa.com/products/calibration-management)[**Preventive Maintenance**Scheduled work orders and repairs](https://factoryqa.com/preventive-maintenance-factoryqa)[**Supplier Quality**Approved suppliers, portal and SCARs](https://factoryqa.com/products/supplier-management)[**Audits**Schedules, checklists and findings](https://factoryqa.com/products/audit-management)[**Learning Management**Courses, quizzes and the training matrix](https://factoryqa.com/products/learning-management-system)[**QMS Generator**Your manual from an interview](https://factoryqa.com/products/qms-generator) Services [**Services overview**Certification, consulting and supplier quality](https://factoryqa.com/services)[**Get Certified**Three paths to AS9100, ISO 9001 or ISO 13485: do it yourself, join a workshop, or work 1-1 with a consultant.](https://factoryqa.com/certification-services)[**Certification Workshops**A 9-week, small-group program with 18 expert-led sessions and an AI-built document kit.](https://factoryqa.com/certification-cohorts)[**QMS Consulting**A consultant on your team from training through implementation, internal audit and the registrar audit.](https://factoryqa.com/qms-consulting)[**Supplier Quality Services**Qualification, management, training and security services for your whole supply base.](https://factoryqa.com/supplier-quality-services) [Pricing](https://factoryqa.com/pricing) [Log in](https://app.factoryqa.com/auth/login)[Book a demo](https://factoryqa.com/get-a-demo)[Start free](https://app.factoryqa.com/auth/register) Features[**Platform overview**](https://factoryqa.com/feature-overview)[AI features](https://factoryqa.com/ai-powered-quality-management)[Integrations](https://factoryqa.com/integrations)[Dashboard](https://factoryqa.com/products/qualitybi-dashboard)[Tasks](https://factoryqa.com/products/task-management)[Compliance](https://factoryqa.com/products/compliance)[Quality Plans](https://factoryqa.com/products/quality-plans)[Documents](https://factoryqa.com/products/document-control)[Issues](https://factoryqa.com/products/non-conformance-management)[Inspection](https://factoryqa.com/products/inspection-sheets)[Calibration](https://factoryqa.com/products/calibration-management)[Preventive Maintenance](https://factoryqa.com/preventive-maintenance-factoryqa)[Supplier Quality](https://factoryqa.com/products/supplier-management)[Audits](https://factoryqa.com/products/audit-management)[Learning Management](https://factoryqa.com/products/learning-management-system)[QMS Generator](https://factoryqa.com/products/qms-generator) Services[**Services overview**](https://factoryqa.com/services)[Get Certified](https://factoryqa.com/certification-services)[Certification Workshops](https://factoryqa.com/certification-cohorts)[QMS Consulting](https://factoryqa.com/qms-consulting)[Supplier Quality Services](https://factoryqa.com/supplier-quality-services)More[**Pricing**](https://factoryqa.com/pricing)[Log in](https://app.factoryqa.com/auth/login)[Book a demo](https://factoryqa.com/get-a-demo) Supplier quality # Controlling outsourced special processes How to control outsourced special processes such as heat treat, plating, welding and NDT: qualified sources, complete orders, evidence and supplier audits. FactoryQA quality teamOctober 25, 2026 A special process is one whose result cannot be fully verified by inspecting the finished part: heat treating, plating and anodizing, welding and brazing, non-destructive testing, chemical processing, coating. You cannot see case depth or hydrogen embrittlement with a caliper. Because the output cannot be fully checked, the process itself has to be controlled, and when it is outsourced, that control has to reach into your supplier. ## Approve the source - **Use qualified sources.** Check whether your customer requires its own approved sources or an accreditation such as Nadcap, and approve the supplier for the specific process and specification, not in general. - **Check the certificate scope.** A Nadcap or ISO 9001 certificate should cover the exact process and the site doing the work. - **Track expiry.** A lapsed accreditation can mean parts you cannot ship. ## Specify it completely The purchase order should name the specification and revision, the class or type, the material and condition, any testing and sampling, and what certification must come back with the parts. Ambiguity on the order is where most special-process escapes start. ## Require the evidence - A certificate of conformance for each lot that names the specification and revision - Test results where the specification requires them: hardness, thickness, adhesion, salt spray, NDT reports - Traceability from your lot to their batch, furnace load or bath ## Verify at the supplier Paperwork alone is not control. Audit special-process suppliers against the specification: equipment calibration and surveys, bath or atmosphere control, operator qualifications, process records for your lots. Process-specific checklists help an auditor ask the right questions. ## React fast when something goes wrong A special-process problem often affects many lots. Contain everything processed in the same window, issue a SCAR, and check the supplier's records for the root cause before you accept more parts. FactoryQA's [Supplier Quality](https://factoryqa.com/products/supplier-management) module records ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF 16949, NADCAP and other certificates with their expiry, emails suppliers before they lapse and handles SCARs through the portal. Supplier audits run in [Audits](https://factoryqa.com/products/audit-management). Our [Supplier Quality Services](https://factoryqa.com/supplier-quality-services) can assess and audit special-process suppliers with you. Keep reading ## More from Resources [Supplier quality**Counterfeit parts prevention for manufacturers**What AS9100D clause 8.1.4 asks for on counterfeit parts, and the sourcing, receiving, quarantine and training controls that keep suspect parts out.](https://factoryqa.com/resources/counterfeit-parts-prevention)[Supplier quality**Supplier PPAP: how to request, review and approve**When 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.](https://factoryqa.com/resources/supplier-ppap-guide)[Supplier quality**How to plan and run supplier audits**How to choose which suppliers to audit, prepare a risk-weighted checklist, score findings consistently and turn every finding into a tracked corrective action.](https://factoryqa.com/resources/supplier-audit-guide) ## Try it on your own process: start free. Free plan · Basic $40 · Pro $60 per standard user per month · 14 days of Pro to start [Start free](https://app.factoryqa.com/auth/register)[Book a demo](https://factoryqa.com/get-a-demo) ![FactoryQA](https://factoryqa.com/hubfs/fqa-logo-white.png)Every quality tool. One connected system. Product[Features](https://factoryqa.com/feature-overview)[AI features](https://factoryqa.com/ai-powered-quality-management)[Integrations](https://factoryqa.com/integrations)[Pricing](https://factoryqa.com/pricing) Modules[Quality Plans](https://factoryqa.com/products/quality-plans)[Documents](https://factoryqa.com/products/document-control)[Issues](https://factoryqa.com/products/non-conformance-management)[Inspection](https://factoryqa.com/products/inspection-sheets)[Calibration](https://factoryqa.com/products/calibration-management) Services[Get Certified](https://factoryqa.com/certification-services)[Certification Workshops](https://factoryqa.com/certification-cohorts)[QMS Consulting](https://factoryqa.com/qms-consulting)[Supplier Quality Services](https://factoryqa.com/supplier-quality-services) Resources[Guides](https://factoryqa.com/resources)[FAQ](https://factoryqa.com/resources/faq)[Glossary](https://factoryqa.com/resources/quality-glossary) Company[Contact](https://factoryqa.com/get-a-demo-1)[Help Center](https://app.factoryqa.com/help)[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/factoryqa)[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/factoryqa) © 2026 FactoryQA[Privacy Policy](https://factoryqa.com/privacy-policy) · [Terms and Conditions](https://factoryqa.com/terms-and-conditions) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "FactoryQA quality team", "url" : "https://factoryqa.com/resources/author/factoryqa-quality-team" }, "dateModified" : "2026-10-25T16:02:05.782Z", "datePublished" : "2026-10-25T16:02:05.000Z", "headline" : "Controlling outsourced special processes | FactoryQA", "image" : [ "https://factoryqa.com/hubfs/fqa-og-res-controlling-special-processes.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://factoryqa.com/resources/controlling-special-processes", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://20847757.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20847757/264.png" }, "name" : "FactoryQA" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "Article", "author" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "FactoryQA", "url" : "https://factoryqa.com/" }, "dateModified" : "2026-10-25", "datePublished" : "2026-10-25", "description" : "How to control outsourced special processes such as heat treat, plating, welding and NDT: qualified sources, complete orders, evidence and supplier audits.", "headline" : "Controlling outsourced special processes", "image" : "https://factoryqa.com/hubfs/fqa-og-res-controlling-special-processes.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://factoryqa.com/resources/controlling-special-processes", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://factoryqa.com/hubfs/fqa-logo-white.png" }, "name" : "FactoryQA", "url" : "https://factoryqa.com/" } } ```