Frequently Asked Questions

The frequently asked questions (FAQ) are being expanded over time with the most relevant questions regarding APQP4Wind. To improve the APQP4Wind standard and Manual, users are welcome to send questions and comments to the Secretariat. If you want to search for a specific term/theme in the FAQ list, please use the keyboard shortcut: CTRL + F.

Theme	Question	Answer
Getting Started	What does APQP mean?	Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) is a framework of procedures and techniques used to develop products in the industry.
Getting Started	What is the purpose of APQP?	The purpose is to produce a product quality plan that will support the development of a product or service that will satisfy the Customer.
Getting Started	Who invented APQP?	Advanced Product Quality Planning is a process developed in the late 1980s by a commission of experts gathered from the 'Big Three' US automobile Manufacturers: Ford, GM, and Chrysler. This commission invested five years to analyze the then-current automotive development and production status in the US, Europe and especially in Japan. At the time, the success of the Japanese automotive companies was starting to be remarkable in the US market.
Getting Started	What does PPAP mean?	Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) is used in the supply chain for establishing confidence in component Suppliers and their production processes. Actual measurements are taken of the parts produced and are used to complete the various test sheets of PPAP.
Getting Started	What is the purpose of PPAP?	The purpose of any Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) is: to ensure that a Supplier can meet the manufacturability and quality requirements of the parts supplied to the Customer. to provide evidence that the Customer engineering design record and specification requirements are clearly understood and fulfilled by the Supplier. to demonstrate that the established manufacturing process has the potential to produce the part that consistently meets all requirements during the actual production run at the quoted production rate Critical elements of the process approach.
Getting Started	What are the benefits of APQP4Wind?	APQP4Wind has a host of benefits for both Customers and Suppliers. These benefits include Improved product quality, enhanced customer satisfaction, Increased efficiency, reduced costs, improved supplier relations, better risk management, Improved process control, and more.
Getting Started	What are the steps in APQP4Wind?	While a detailed understanding of APQP4Wind’s steps requires professional training, a simple overview would include: Plan and Define The Program, Product Design and Development, Process Design and Development, Product and Process Validation, Feedback Assessment and Corrective Action, Production Launch, Ongoing Monitoring and Feedback, and more.
Communication	Is there a newsletter available?	Yes, our newsletter is available for Company Member employees. If you work at an APQP4Wind Member Company and have been registered in our system through training or communication, you will receive our newsletter automatically. You are welcome to send an email to marketing@apqp4wind.org if you want to subscribe to the newsletter.
Communication	Are there more webinars to be expected?	Yes, the APQP4Wind organization plans to organize more webinars.
Communication	How do I get clarified questions regarding the content in the APQP4Wind Manual or Workbook?	If you need any clarifications, please contact the Secretariat: contact@apqp4wind.org.
Communication	How do I fix bugs in the APQP4Wind Workbook?	If you experience bugs in the APQP4Wind Workbook, please contact the Secretariat: contact@apqp4wind.org.
Content/Requirement	Does APQP harm other QMSs, or is it aligned? Or is APQP4Wind similar to ISO 9001 or an alternative to it?	No, APQP4WIND complements the Quality Management System requirements (for example, ISO 9001). In general, compliance with the ISO 9001 requirements is expected.
Content/Requirement	Can I audit against the APQP4Wind Manual?	Yes, however, prior to the audit, the content of the APQP4Wind Manual should be addressed in the Quality Management System, and any gaps should be closed when updating the system.
Content/Requirement	Can I still use my own forms and templates? Or is it mandatory to use the templates in the APQP4Wind Workbook for PPAP4Wind®?	The Supplier is free to negotiate it with the Customer, and the Customer may agree to it if the custom template fulfills the requirements.
Content/Requirement	Is the APQP4Wind organization only focused on wind industry topics?	Yes, APQP4Wind is only applicable within the wind industry.
Content/Requirement	Is there an aligned organization implemented regarding the use of the same templates and formats (communication between Customer and Supplier)?	Yes, there is alignment among APQP4Wind members on APQP4Wind templates.
Content/Requirement	What is the exact difference between APQP4Wind and PPAP4Wind? How can I bring these terms together?	APQP4Wind describes an overall framework where PPAP4Wind is an essential partial process with specific documents.
Content/Requirement	Where can I find "Service" in the APQP4Wind Manual?	As the name indicates, APQP4Wind is associated with product development, and consideration of service is currently limited to 'Design for Manufacturability, Assembly, Transport and Service' (Chapter 2.7).
Content/Requirement	Is the "handover process" between manufacture and service considered in the APQP4Wind Manual?	No, the APQP4Wind Manual is currently limited to 'Design for Manufacturability, Assembly, Transport and Service' (Chapter 2.7).
Content/Requirement	Auditor Training: Is that meant for auditing internal APQP4Wind or at the Supplier?	For both.
Content/Requirement	Can Customers ask for more than what is detailed in the APQP4Wind Manual or Toolbox?	Yes, it needs to be part of Kick Off meeting and mutually agreed requirement can be documented with the help of custom templates available in the APQP4Wind Workbook.
Content/Requirement	Why did the APQP4Wind organization not adopt the Special Characteristics classifications from the automotive industry (e.g. AIAG)?	The Special Characteristics classification was defined in alignment with all other members from the APQP4Wind organization for their special needs and requirements. The classification in the automotive industry is open to individual organizations or Customers to define.
Implementation	How do you recommend assessing the maturity of an existing APQP4Wind system? (Assessment/Audit)	It is recommended to conduct an internal audit/assessment based on existing practice within the organization. You can use the APQP4Wind Assessment Tool to assess your maturity level and sign up for APQP4Wind Assessment Tool Training to learn how to apply the tool in practice.
Implementation	Is it a mandatory requirement to have employees on APQP Specialist, Management Awareness Internal Auditor training, etc., in an organization?	No, it is not mandatory, but essential and highly recommended. Therefore, Specialist and Management Awareness Training is a requirement to become an APQP4Wind Company Member.
Implementation	Can an APQP4Wind Specialist train internal employees in APQP4Wind?	Yes, for awareness and maturity improvement, but not for certification.
Implementation	Do I need more resources for implementation and using the system?	Yes, especially during implementation, when you need to train and master the complete organization of the new concept. Once established, running the system usually will not consume any additional resources.
Implementation	Do I need extra training for several key functions like APQP4Wind Supporter, Trainer, Auditor, Experts, and Management?	Yes, APQP4Wind needs to be planned on an essential basis. You may also plan Internal Awareness Training to improve overall maturity within the organization.
Implementation	How long does it take to establish an efficient APQP4Wind setup?	It depends on the size and business type of the organization. It also depends on the already existing quality maturity level, resource allocation, etc. With effective planning and execution, it can be reduced by a few months.
Manual	Can I get the APQP4Wind Manual in other languages?	APQP4Wind Manual 1.2 is translated into Chinese and Spanish. Please contact our Training Providers for purchasing; read more on the Buy the APQP4Wind Manual page.
Membership	How to join the Working Groups?	Should the necessity for additional Working Group Members arise, the APQP4Wind Secretariat will extend an invitation to APQP4Wind Company Members to submit their applications.
Membership	Which training certificates are valid when applying for a Company Membership?	When you apply for a Company Membership, at least one of your employees must have a valid Management Awareness Training certificate and at least one other employee must have a valid Specialist Training certificate from one of our approved training providers. Certificates from other providers or certificates that have expired will not be considered valid.
Training	Do we get a paper certificate after Specialist training?	After you pass the exam, you will receive an email from the Secretariat with the certificate in a PDF file, which you can print.
Workbook	Why does the APQP4Wind PPAP4Wind® template not use the risk levels 1-2-3-4-5 like in the automotive industry?	When developing APQP4Wind, the risk terminology 'Low', 'Medium', and 'High' was decided to keep things simpler and avoid discussions like whether a 3 is actually more of a 2 or perhaps a 4. When comparing with the automotive terminology, 'Low' is 1, 'Medium' is 3, and 'High' is 5. In addition, the OEMs decide whether the product/system is 'Low', 'Medium' or 'High' risk.
Workbook & Analysis Tool	I receive a warning regarding Microsoft security issues with macros when I use the APQP4Wind Workbook and APQP4Wind Analysis Tool - what do I do?	The APQP4Wind Secretariat is aware that the use of macros in the APQP4Wind Toolbox raises some concerns for our users, and it is therefore important to emphasize that there are no malicious macros enabled in the APQP4Wind Workbook or APQP4Wind Analysis Tool. Consequently, we are in the process of finding a more suitable solution in the future. Until a suitable solution has been found, there are two ways to gain access to the documents: Save the APQP4Wind Workbook or APQP4Wind Analysis Tool locally on your computer and follow this guide: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/deployoffice/security/internet-macros-blocked#remove-mark-of-the-web-from-a-file or Add https://apqp4wind.org as a trusted site by following this guide: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/deployoffice/security/internet-macros-blocked#files-centrally-located-on-a-network-share-or-trusted-website To learn more about macros in our APQP4Wind Toolbox, you can read more on our page Workbook & Analysis Tool.
Manual 1.3	What languages are the new publications going to be offered in?	The Manual 1.3 is available in English. The Chinese translation project will begin in May 2024.
Manual 1.3	Where can I order the APQP4Wind Manual 1.3?	The APQP4Wind Manual can be ordered through our approved Training Providers. More information can be found on the Buy the APQP4Wind Manual page.
Manual 1.3	Can I still use Manual 1.2, or do I need to order Manual 1.3?	The APQP4Wind Manual is not a standard but a guideline. During the APQP4Wind kickoff meeting, it is determined which requirements must be implemented between the Supplier and the Customer. If Customer requirements are only described in Manual 1.3, they must be obtained.
Manual 1.3	Can Manual 1.2 still be used between Wind Turbine OEMs and Suppliers?	The APQP4Wind Manual is not a standard but a guideline. During the APQP4Wind kickoff meeting, it is determined which requirements must be implemented between the Supplier and the Customer. If Customer requirements are only described in Manual 1.3, they must be obtained.
Manual 1.3	If I just bought an APQP4Wind Manual 1.2 in Company Version, do I need to buy the new Manual 1.3?	If you have bought a Manual 1.2 Company Version later than September 13, 2023, you will automatically receive a new APQP4Wind EN E-Manual 1.3.
Manual 1.3	If I joined APQP4Wind Training and own APQP4Wind Manual 1.2 through the course, can I get a free Manual 1.3?	If you participated in APQP4Wind Training courses after September 13th 2023 and own an APQP4Wind Manual 1.2, you are welcome to contact the Secretariat by email: contact@apqp4wind.org for a free APQP4Wind E-Manual 1.3.
Manual 1.3	A new chapter in Manual 1.3 - Why introduce Process Special Characteristics?	Introduction of Process Special Characteristics in APQP4Wind Manual 1.3 improves quality management, risk mitigation, compliance with standards, continuous improvement, and supplier management in wind energy projects. By incorporating these characteristics into the APQP4Wind framework, project teams can strengthen their quality assurance processes and deliver high-quality products to customers while minimizing risk and optimizing performance.
Manual 1.3	A new chapter in Manual 1.3 - Why introduce Capacity Planning & Contingency Planning?	The introduction of Capacity Planning and Contingency Planning in APQP4Wind Manual 1.3 improves risk management, resource optimization, schedule compliance, quality assurance, and stakeholder communication in wind energy projects. By integrating these planning elements into the APQP4Wind framework, project teams can improve project outcomes and ensure successful project execution.
Manual 1.3	How is the Responsibility Matrix updated?	APQP4Wind Element updated according to changes, responsibility changed, covering scope extension, and definitions updated accordingly.
Manual 1.3	Why is the Product Quality Plan referred to as the Quality Plan?	These changes shall make it clear that APQP4Wind processes and tools also apply to design processes, projects, services, and other processes in the wind industry.
Manual 1.3	Why is there a new figure on page 5?	The New figure illustrates a straight Customer-Supplier relationship.
Manual 1.3	Why is the APQP4Wind Framework updated?	The Framework has been updated to ensure the inclusion of all services in the extended scope. Model Build and First Production Run have been added to Prototype and 0-series in the framework, and the stages have been renamed to cover the extended scope.
Manual 1.3	Is there a typo on page 43, in the Criteria table 'OR The Risk Priority Number (RPN) ≥ 505'?	Yes. The correct wording is 'OR The Risk Priority Number (RPN) ≥ 105'
Workbook 2.5 & Analysis Tool 1.3	Is APQP4Wind Toolbox updated to 1.3?	Yes, the APQP4Wind Workbook & Analysis Tool has been updated according to Manual 1.3, and you can download it from the Workbook & Analysis Tool page.
Assessment Tool 1.3	Is the Assessment Tool updated to 1.3?	Yes, the APQP4Wind Assessment Tool has been updated according to Manual 1.3, and it can be found on the Assessment Tool page.
Training	Will APQP4Wind Training courses use Manual 1.3 or Manual 1.2?	APQP4Wind Training courses after March 2024 will be adjusted according to Manual 1.3.
Training	Do I need to join the Refresher courses because of the release of Manual 1.3?	No, the release of Manual 1.3 doesn´t set extra requirements for joining the Refresher courses. Whether or not to join the Refresher courses depends on the validity of your certificate: Refresher training can be attended from 6 months before and up to a maximum of 3 months after the expiration date stated on the certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

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