Many companies have established incoming inspection to measure, evaluate, or audit purchased components and raw material to ensure conformance to quality standards and performance requirements. Incoming inspection serves an important function within an organization. This appraisal process distinguishes suspect and nonconforming lots from conforming lots. However, many companies fall short of establishing an optimal incoming inspection process. They spend more money than is necessary to ensure the conformance of purchased components and raw material.
Throughout my career as a supplier quality engineer and quality manager, I have uncovered significant waste in the incoming inspection process. The objective of this article is to share ten ideas of where to look for waste in your own incoming inspection process. Ideas will be presented that enable readers to build and sustain a culture of quality within their incoming inspection process, while reducing the overall cost of quality.