Prüfschritten

Prüfschritte are discrete steps used in testing and inspection processes within German-speaking quality management. They define the individual checks that verify whether a product or process meets specified requirements. The concept applies across industries, from manufacturing to software and laboratory analysis, and is commonly described in documents such as Prüfpläne (test plans) or Prüfanweisungen (test instructions).

A Prüfschritt typically includes several elements: an objective or purpose, input conditions or samples, the specific action or test to be performed, the measurement method or instrument used, acceptance criteria or pass/fail rules, the expected result, and documentation requirements. It also assigns responsibility to a person or team and may specify timeframes or sequences within the overall test plan. Clear definition of these elements supports traceability and repeatability.

In practice, Prüfschritte are used to structure quality assurance activities. In manufacturing, examples include visual inspection, dimensional measurement, functional tests, and end-of-line checks. In software development, Prüfschritte can correspond to unit tests, integration tests, and system tests that ensure program behavior meets specifications. In laboratories, steps might cover sample preparation, instrument calibration, and data interpretation.

Documentation and management of Prüfschritte are essential for transparency and continuous improvement. They are maintained in Prüfplänen and SOPs, version-controlled, and linked to applicable standards and regulatory requirements. Effective use of Prüfschritte enhances reproducibility, traceability, and defect detection, while misalignment or overly rigid steps can hinder flexibility.