Non Conformance
A Non Conformance (NC) in ERPNext is a record used to document any instance where an activity, process, or operation fails to comply with a defined Quality Procedure. It allows organizations to formally record quality deviations, monitor their resolution, and implement corrective or preventive measures to avoid recurrence.
Non Conformance management is an essential part of a quality management system as it helps ensure that established procedures are consistently followed and that products or processes continue to meet organizational and customer quality standards.
Whenever a quality procedure is not followed or a deviation is observed, an authorized person within the organization can create a Non Conformance record to document the issue and initiate the appropriate follow-up actions.
Purpose of Non Conformance
Organizations establish Quality Procedures to standardize business operations and maintain consistent quality. A Non Conformance is created whenever these procedures are not followed or when an unexpected deviation from the defined process is identified.
The recorded Non Conformance serves as an official observation that helps organizations investigate quality issues, monitor corrective actions, and continuously improve operational processes.
Non Conformance records provide a structured method for documenting quality deviations and ensuring that appropriate corrective or preventive actions are taken before similar issues occur again.
Prerequisites
Before creating a Non Conformance, ensure that a Quality Procedure has already been created.
The Non Conformance is always linked to a Quality Procedure so that the deviation can be evaluated against the expected standard operating process.
How to Create a Non Conformance
Step 1: Open the Non Conformance Document
Navigate to the Non Conformance list from the Quality module or create a new Non Conformance directly from the dashboard of the relevant Quality Procedure.
Step 2: Select the Quality Procedure
Choose the Quality Procedure against which the non-compliance has been observed.
This links the deviation to the corresponding Standard Operating Procedure for future reference and analysis.
Step 3: Record the Observation
Document the details of the non-conformance by describing the observed deviation, non-compliance, or quality issue.
Providing clear and detailed observations helps in identifying the root cause and planning appropriate corrective measures.
Step 4: Record Corrective or Preventive Actions
If applicable, enter the corrective actions taken to resolve the issue or preventive actions planned to prevent similar non-conformances in the future.
These actions help organizations continuously improve their quality management processes.
Step 5: Update the Status
Update the status of the Non Conformance as the issue progresses through investigation and resolution.
Status tracking enables organizations to monitor whether the quality issue is still under review or has been successfully resolved.
Corrective and Preventive Actions
A Non Conformance record can include both corrective and preventive actions as part of the resolution process.
- Corrective Actions are implemented to eliminate the cause of an identified non-conformance.
- Preventive Actions are implemented to minimize the possibility of similar issues occurring in future operations.
Maintaining these actions within the Non Conformance record provides complete documentation of how the issue was addressed.
Recording corrective and preventive actions enables organizations to learn from quality deviations and strengthen their operational processes over time.
Status Management
The Status field helps track the lifecycle of each Non Conformance from identification through investigation and final resolution.
Maintaining accurate status information ensures that unresolved quality issues remain visible until appropriate actions have been completed.
Business Benefits
- Provides a structured method for recording quality deviations.
- Links non-conformances directly to Quality Procedures.
- Supports documentation of corrective and preventive actions.
- Improves compliance with organizational quality standards.
- Tracks the resolution status of quality issues.
- Supports continuous improvement and root cause analysis.
- Helps reduce recurring quality problems through systematic follow-up.
Key Summary
Non Conformance in ERPNext enables organizations to formally document deviations from established Quality Procedures. By recording observations, tracking resolution status, and maintaining corrective and preventive actions, businesses can improve compliance, strengthen quality control processes, and continuously enhance operational performance.
