Free quality tools from Aegis: templates, kits and guides you can use today →
Aegis Technologies Inc.

The Supplier Performance and Recovery Kit HandbookChapter 3 of 18

The supplier control workflow

Every supplier moves through the same stages. The shaded boxes are gates: Yes continues down, No goes to the note on the right.

  1. Need: a new part, process or source, a second source, or a customer-directed source.
  2. Qualify: assess the exact work you will buy, on site where the risk is (C01, C16).
  3. Decision: Are all the critical criteria met? If yes, continue to the next step.
    No:Not ready. Close the gap, or approve first articles only, with written conditions.
  4. Approve and list: scope, status, conditions and dates on the approved list (C03); rate the risk (C02); onboard (C09).
  5. Flow down: PO quality clauses, specifications, customer requirements, change and sub-tier rules (C14, C16).
  6. Monitor: receiving and certificates, surveillance by risk (C06, C07), the scorecard every period (C04).
  7. Decision: Performing to target, with no repeat, escape or lapse? If yes, continue to the next step.
    No:Respond in proportion: a SCAR (C08), an improvement plan (C11), the escalation ladder (C10).
  8. Decision: Is the response working, within its dates? If yes, continue to the next step.
    No:Status change on the list; a recovery plan with exit criteria (C12); a second source.
  9. Review: business review by risk (C05); re-rate and re-evaluate at the interval the risk sets (C02, C03); report at management review.
Process flowchart. Shaded boxes are decisions: Yes continues down, No goes to the note. Open the flowchart as an image (as it appears in the handbook).
StagePurposeToolsOutputAS9100D
QualifyDecide whether to buy this work from this sourceC01, C16, C09Decision, scope, conditions8.4.1
Approve and listOne controlled list that purchasing and receiving act onC03, C02Status, scope, dates, rating8.4.1
Flow downMake sure whoever does the work knows every requirementC14, C16PO clauses, sub-tier map8.4.3
MonitorCheck the work and the supplier in proportion to riskC04, C06, C07Scorecard, receiving data, audits8.4.2, 9.1.3
RespondFind and remove causes; escalate what stallsC08, C10, C11, B01SCARs, plans, decisions8.7, 10.2
RecoverBring a needed supplier back, or move the workC12, C01Plan, gates, outcome8.4.1, 10.2
ReviewKeep ratings, approvals and relationships currentC05, C02, C03, C13, C15Reviews, re-ratings, management review input9.3.2, 6.1

Need more than one resource, or not sure where to start? Book a complimentary 30-minute Aegis Quality Guidance Call. We'll find the tools that fit your situation and a sensible place to start. No sales pressure, no obligation.

A management aid, not certification or a registrar audit. Using it does not by itself show conformity to AS9100D or any other standard, and your customers' requirements may add to it.

Clause numbers refer to AS9100D (SAE AS9100 Rev D) unless another document is named. The standards' text is not reproduced here: use your own licensed copy.

Aegis Insights are our own guidance, labeled wherever they appear: how we approach this work, not a requirement of any standard or customer.