Method · reference manual

What is PPAP?

Production Part Approval Process

In 30 seconds

PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) is the approval process in which a supplier proves that its series production process can consistently meet customer requirements. The evidence is submitted as a file according to the submission level the customer requires.

How does it work?

  • The customer sets the submission level, which decides which elements are submitted and which are retained at the supplier.
  • The file includes elements such as design records, FMEA, control plan, dimensional results, MSA and process capability studies.
  • An approved submission is recorded with a Part Submission Warrant (PSW).

Often confused with

PPAP and first article

A first article inspection can be part of PPAP; PPAP is the approval of the whole process.

Common mistakes

  • Treating PPAP as a one-off file and skipping resubmission after changes.
  • Collecting missing elements on the last day.

From a QWorks perspective

PPAP is part of the QWorks platform vision; the aim is to keep missing and nonconforming elements visible, owned and time-bound.

Updated: