Prüfauftrag

Prüfauftrag is a term used in German-speaking quality management and manufacturing to refer to a formal instruction to perform an inspection or test on a material, component, or product. It distinguishes the act of testing from routine checks and is commonly used in production planning, supplier quality, and ERP systems (notably in SAP QM) to manage inspection activities.

A Prüfauftrag typically includes: the item to be inspected (material, batch, serial), quantity and sampling rules, applicable test methods and standards, acceptance criteria and decision rules, required equipment and environmental conditions, responsibilities for execution and approval, scheduling, and documentation requirements such as test reports, certificates, and traceability. It also defines linkage to related master data (supplier, inspection lot, bill of materials).

Process and outcome: the Prüfauftrag is created by quality or production control, assigned to an inspector, executed, and the results recorded in the quality system. A pass allows release or continuation in production; a fail triggers corrective actions such as rework, quarantine, supplier notification, or disposition. The outcome updates inspection lots, inventory status, and quality metrics.

Contexts and purpose: Prüfaufträge are used for incoming goods inspections, in-process checks, final product testing, or vendor qualification. They provide documented evidence of conformity and support compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements by ensuring that products meet defined specifications before proceeding in the supply chain.