Buying APQP third edition and Control Plan first edition

What is APQP?

Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) is a structured process for planning products that meet customer requirements. It covers development, trial production and series production. The third edition updates the planning approach and helps businesses understand relevant developments in automotive quality practice. 

What is a Control Plan?

A Control Plan describes the controls needed for products and manufacturing processes to meet quality requirements. The first standalone edition gives detailed guidance on developing and maintaining plans to support stable production and improvement. 

Why obtain APQP third edition and Control Plan first edition?

Access to the manuals, combined with effective implementation, can help businesses maintain and improve quality:

• Better manufacturing performance: the methods clarify the processes needed to improve performance and manage time and cost.
• Product-quality control: teams can define controls at each stage and reduce product defects and risks.
• Customer confidence: meeting agreed quality requirements supports trust and customer satisfaction.
• Automotive-customer requirements: APQP and Control Plan are widely used methods and reference manuals. Their specific application depends on customer requirements; they are not legislation or ISO standards.

Choosing the manuals

Consider the following when purchasing APQP third edition and Control Plan first edition:

• Authorised sources: obtain the manuals from AIAG or an authorised publication distributor.
• Training and guidance: consider appropriate training or support so that your team can apply the methods effectively.
• Edition and format: confirm the required edition, available language and print or electronic format, together with the relevant customer requirements.
• After-sales support: check the supplier's support arrangements and any access or licence conditions for electronic publications.

Official publication source

Publication information and purchasing options from AIAG

Benefits of implementation

Practical use of APQP and Control Plan can support:

• Continual improvement: structured planning and control help identify improvement opportunities and define corrective action.
• Lower quality-related costs: addressing quality early can reduce defects and the need for repair or replacement.

Access to new markets Meeting customer and supply-chain requirements can help businesses work with demanding customers in different countries.

Implementation support

Obtaining the manuals is one part of an effective quality strategy. Businesses also need reliable sources, a prepared team and a practical implementation plan to improve quality, production performance and customer confidence.