avviks

Avviks is a term used in Swedish and Norwegian to refer to a deviation from a defined standard, plan, or expected outcome. The concept covers any instance where actual results diverge from defined specifications, procedures, or targets, including measurements outside tolerance, non-adherence to procedures, schedule slips, or resource variances. In many industries, avviks are formally captured in deviation reports or avvik-dokumentation, and each entry is typically classified by severity and impact and assigned to a process owner for resolution.

In quality management and manufacturing, avviks trigger investigation and corrective action. The typical lifecycle includes detection, documentation, and classification (for example minor, major, or critical), followed by root-cause analysis and disposition. Corrective actions aim to restore compliance in the short term, while preventive actions address underlying causes to reduce recurrence. In regulated sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and food, deviations often require formal regulatory notifications and traceable CAPA (corrective and preventive actions) processes.

Avviks also appear in data analysis and project work as anomalies or outliers from expected results or baselines. They are used for trend analysis to identify process weaknesses and inform continuous improvement efforts. The term is commonly linked to terms such as avvikshantering (deviation management) and avviksmelding (deviation report), reflecting its role in structured problem-solving and compliance routines across organizations.