Kontrolplan

Kontrolplan, also known as a control plan, is a quality-management document used to define how a product and its manufacturing process will be controlled to ensure conformity with design requirements. It translates design and process understanding into concrete, actionable controls across the production chain, specifying what to measure, how to measure it, how often, and what actions to take if measurements are out of specification.

The main purpose of a kontrolplan is to ensure consistent quality throughout the product lifecycle. It is typically created during product development as part of planning activities such as APQP in the automotive sector and is aligned with other quality tools like FMEA and the Design Verification Plan and Report (DVP&R). The kontrolplan serves as a basis for process validation, operator training, calibration, and ongoing process monitoring.

A kontrolplan usually lists for each characteristic or feature: the part or process step, the characteristic to control (often a design or process parameter), the method of control or inspection, the sampling size and frequency, the measurement equipment or technique, the acceptance criteria or specification limits, the reaction or corrective actions if a deviation is detected, and the person or team responsible. It may distinguish between product controls and process controls and often references calibration and maintenance requirements.

The kontrolplan is a living document, updated whenever design changes, process modifications, or new data warrant adjustments. It supports traceability and continuous improvement, guiding audits, supplier development, and performance monitoring through methods such as control charts. While it supports quality assurance, it does not by itself guarantee quality; ongoing data-driven management is required.