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Quality glossary

CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action)

Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) programs transform isolated issues into sustainable improvements by investigating causes and implementing targeted fixes.

Effective CAPA relies on rigorous Root Cause Analysis to avoid treating symptoms instead of problems.

Typical CAPA workflow

CAPA typically starts with documenting the non-conformance, assessing impact, and containing the issue. Teams then perform a formal investigation, implement corrective actions, and verify their effectiveness before closing the case.

Structured Corrective Action Reports provide the evidence trail for auditors and customers.

Preventive focus

Preventive action expands the scope beyond the immediate incident by analysing system-level weaknesses. It may trigger process redesigns, training updates, or new monitoring checkpoints.

Techniques such as Failure Mode and Effects Analysis help teams anticipate failure paths before they occur.

Managing CAPA in KaizenQ

KaizenQ tracks CAPA assignments alongside inspection findings. Action owners receive notifications, while dashboards display the status of open tasks for suppliers and buyers alike.

Key takeaways
  • CAPA links corrective fixes with preventive safeguards.
  • Documentation is essential to demonstrate compliance and audit readiness.
  • Data from CAPA feeds future risk assessments and process improvements.

Related terms