Quality
Layered Process Audits — IATF 16949 §9.2.2.2
Four-tier audit cadence, automated scheduling, digital checklists, and closed-loop CAPA linkage. Stellantis SQA Connect June 2025 mandates weekly LPAs for certain suppliers — Qontiv handles scheduling and evidence collection automatically.
AIAG CQI-8 four-tier cadence
Qontiv implements the AIAG CQI-8 3rd Edition layered process audit framework with four management tiers, each with a configured cadence:
- Operator — daily
- Supervisor — weekly
- Manager — monthly
- Plant Manager — quarterly
Cadences are configurable per site. The audit schedule worker generates upcoming audit assignments 7 days in advance, with idempotency guarantees — no duplicate audit records from worker restarts.
Automated scheduling
LPA schedules are defined once per site — specifying tier, cadence, checklist template, and optional equipment scope. The system generates audit queues automatically. Auditors receive their queue; no manual scheduling per period.
Electronic sign-off
Every completed audit requires an auditor e-signature (SignatureMeaning.LpaAuditCompleted)
before reaching Completed status. Audit closure requires a manager signature
(LpaAuditClosed). Both are captured per 21 CFR Part 11 §11.50 with
printed name, datetime, and stated meaning.
Closed-loop CAPA linkage
NonCompliant findings automatically create a linked CAPA. The audit cannot be closed until all linked CAPAs are in Closed state. This enforces the corrective-action loop that IATF 16949 §10.2 requires — a finding that doesn't drive a CAPA to closure is surfaced as a blocker, not silently left open.
Finding types and severity
- Compliant — process operating as intended
- Observation — opportunity for improvement, no CAPA required
- NonCompliant (Minor) — deviation, 90-day closure SLA (configurable)
- NonCompliant (Major) — significant deviation, 30-day closure SLA (configurable); auto-CAPA created
Multi-framework support
LPA checklists can be tagged to a regulatory framework: IATF 16949, AS9100, ISO 13485, ISO 9001, or Internal. Multi-framework tags are supported — one checklist can satisfy IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 simultaneously.
Regulatory mapping
| Standard | Clause | Qontiv feature |
|---|---|---|
| IATF 16949 | §9.2.2.2 | Multi-tier LPA with defined cadence |
| IATF 16949 | §10.2 | Finding-driven CAPA with auto-creation |
| IATF 16949 | §7.2 | Auditor competency records |
| AIAG CQI-8 | 3rd Ed. 2014 | Four-tier cadence framework |
| Stellantis SQA Connect | Jun 2025 | Weekly LPA mandate for applicable suppliers |
| AS9100 Rev D | §9.2.2 | Internal audit program |
| ISO 13485 | §8.2.4 / §8.5.2 | Internal audit + corrective action |
LPA cadence that keeps up with IATF Rules 6th Ed.
Schedule, conduct, link findings to CAPA — and show the auditor the complete record.