G1Kick-off / framing
Do we understand the project?
- Team and responsibilities
- Technical requirements
- Timing and key risks
- Supplier feasibility
- Initial validation strategy
APQP gates: from kick-off to closure.
A generic learning model for project maturity: each gate asks a different question and requires evidence that the product, process and organization are becoming ready.
APQP MATURITYG1 → G5
G1
G2
G3
G4
G5
G1Kick-off & framing
G2Design & tooling
G4PPAP evidence
G5Development closure
G1 → G5
Each gate asks a different maturity question.
G2Design freeze / tooling kick-off
Can we industrialize the defined product?
- Product baseline and revisions
- Tooling scope and feasibility
- Process concept / PFMEA inputs
- Validation plan and simulations
- Risk mitigation actions
G3Off-tool / process evidence
Does the representative process produce conforming parts?
- Off-tool samples
- Dimensional and material evidence
- Process trials and capability trend
- Packaging / traceability readiness
- Open risk containment
G4PPAP approval
Is the evidence complete enough for approval?
- PPAP evidence package
- Validation results
- Conformity reports
- Process / capacity evidence
- Remaining deviations controlled
G5End of development
Are residual risks and changes closed?
- Remaining actions closed
- Final configuration aligned
- Traceability confirmed
- Lessons learned captured
- Production maturity stabilized
Engineering principle: a gate is not a calendar date. It is a decision point supported by evidence, risk status and agreed actions.
DELIVERABLE FAMILIES
Think in evidence families.
Product definition
Technical specifications, revisions, configuration, interface definition and design evidence.
Risk management
Risk register, design/process FMEA inputs, mitigation plans and escalation decisions.
Validation
Simulation, design validation plan, physical tests, results, deviations and closure.
Process readiness
Process flow, tooling maturity, controls, capability, capacity and manufacturing trials.
Quality evidence
Dimensional reports, material evidence, control records, checking aids and PPAP status.
Configuration & change
Approved baseline, change requests, impact analysis, application and traceability.
APQP MINDSET
Green is not a color. It is evidence.
A robust APQP review challenges the evidence behind the rating: What changed? What was measured? Under which configuration? What remains open? What is the risk to the next milestone?