Inspection and sampling
Terms used when teams decide what to inspect, how much to sample, and whether a lot can ship.
Quality Inspection Glossary
Clear, practical definitions for the factory quality terms that usually get buried in chat threads, spreadsheet notes, and shipment debates.
Start with these high-impact terms
These are the definitions teams usually need first when a shipment is at risk.
Browse by workflow
Use these clusters when you need the right terms for sampling, corrective action, traceability, or process control.
Corrective action and containment
Terms for stopping defects fast, documenting nonconformance, and proving corrective action is complete.
Process control and risk
Terms that help factories monitor variation, validate capability, and reduce risk before defects escape.
Traceability and compliance
Terms used to prove what happened, who approved it, and whether the product meets buyer or system requirements.
Performance and improvement
Terms tied to continuous improvement, supplier performance, line discipline, and long-term quality reporting.
Browse the full glossary A-Z
Jump to the letter you need, then scan the matching terms.
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A
Acceptance samplingA statistical method to decide whether a lot is accepted or rejected based on a sample instead of 100% inspection.AQL (Acceptance Quality Limit)The quality level used to index acceptance sampling plans for a continuing series of lots, not a guaranteed defect rate in each lot.Audit trailA chronological record of every inspection event, result, and data change, providing clear proof for buyers.
C
CalibrationAn operation that relates instrument indications to reference values and their measurement uncertainties under specified conditions.CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action)A process that addresses causes of existing nonconformities and potential problems, with checks that the actions are effective.CAR (Corrective Action Report)A formal record describing a non-conformance, its root cause, and the actions taken to resolve it.Check sheetA structured form used to collect data in real time, often as part of the seven basic quality tools.COC (Certificate of Conformity)A document confirming that goods meet specified standards, regulations, or buyer requirements.Containment actionImmediate actions taken to isolate suspect products and prevent further shipment or use of nonconforming items.Control chartA statistical chart used to monitor process stability over time and detect unusual variation.Control planA documented roadmap describing how critical product or process characteristics will be monitored and controlled.Cpk (Process Capability Index)A statistical indicator showing how well a process stays within specification limits relative to its variation.Critical to quality (CTQ)Measurable product or process characteristics that have the highest impact on customer requirements.
D
Defect classificationA method for categorizing defects by severity and impact, typically as critical, major, or minor.Defect escapeA defect that passes internal controls and reaches the next process, customer, or end user.Deviation requestA formal request to temporarily ship or use material that does not fully meet specification under controlled conditions.Dock auditA verification check at shipping dock stage to confirm packaging, labeling, and shipment readiness before dispatch.Dock-to-stockA receiving strategy where incoming material moves directly to inventory without routine incoming inspection when supplier controls are trusted.
F
Final Random Inspection (FRI)A last quality checkpoint performed on finished goods pulled randomly before shipment.First Article Inspection (FAI)A documented verification that initial production output meets the applicable design and specification requirements.First pass yieldThe percentage of units that pass a defined process the first time, without rework, repair, or retest.FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)A risk assessment method for identifying potential failures, their causes, and their effects before production issues occur.
G
Gage R&RA study that evaluates measurement system repeatability and reproducibility across operators and equipment.Gemba walkA structured visit to the production floor where leaders observe work, ask questions, and identify improvement opportunities.Golden sampleA master-approved reference sample used to align quality expectations across buyers, suppliers, and inspectors.
I
K
L
Layered process audit (LPA)A structured audit system where leaders at different levels review critical process checkpoints on a rotating cadence.LCL / UCL (Lower and Upper Control Limits)The statistical boundaries on control charts that signal when a process may be shifting out of control.Line clearanceA verification step ensuring production lines are free of previous materials, labels, and documents before starting a new order.
M
N
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P
PPM (Parts Per Million)A defect rate metric expressing how many units out of one million are non-conforming.Pre-Production Inspection (PPI)A quality assessment performed before mass production begins to validate materials, tooling, and process readiness.Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)A structured submission that proves a supplier can consistently meet customer engineering and quality requirements.
Q
Quality gateA mandatory control point where predefined criteria must be met before work can move to the next stage.Quality Management System (QMS)An organisational framework of policies, processes, and resources dedicated to achieving quality objectives.Quarantine lotA segregated batch of material or products held from normal flow until quality disposition is completed.
R
RCA (Root Cause Analysis)A structured investigation method used to identify the underlying causes of a problem or defect.Rework and repairActions taken to bring nonconforming product back to acceptable condition, either by restoring specification (rework) or making an approved fix (repair).Risk Priority Number (RPN)A score calculated by multiplying severity, occurrence, and detection ratings to prioritise risks in FMEA.
S
Sampling planA predefined method for determining how many units to inspect and the acceptance criteria used for lot disposition.SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)A documented instruction that defines how to perform a task consistently and safely.Statistical Process Control (SPC)A method of using statistical techniques to monitor and control processes by tracking variation over time.Supplier Corrective Action Request (SCAR)A formal request asking a supplier to investigate and resolve a quality issue that impacted delivered goods.Supplier Quality Management (SQM)The strategy and processes used to evaluate, monitor, and improve supplier performance.Supplier scorecardA performance framework used to evaluate suppliers across quality, delivery, responsiveness, and improvement metrics.