Industrialization roadmap · Milestone 5 of 8

Series production (SOP)

SOP marks the start of series production. The work continues through ramp-up: monitor quality, output, delivery performance and unresolved issues while transferring stable routines to the production organization.

Explore expected deliverables ↓

Automotive industrialization: Series production (SOP)

Purpose and expected outputs

What this milestone should achieve

Objectives

Start series production
Ramp up toward target volumes
Monitor quality and performance

Key deliverables to organize

Start-of-production conditions are confirmed
Production and quality performance are monitored
Containment and corrective actions are followed to closure
Lessons learned are captured for continuous improvement

Questions for the project team

What evidence demonstrates that the milestone objective has been achieved?
Which risks could affect product quality, timing, cost or manufacturing feasibility?
Who owns each open action, and by when must it be closed?
Which decision or approval is required before moving forward?

Working principle

Use the applicable project plan, approved engineering requirements and quality procedures as the authority for exact criteria. This guide provides a transferable structure; it does not replace customer-specific or company-approved requirements.

APQP gate connection

Gate G5 — Ramp-up and development closure

The APQP training framework defines the final phase around ramp-up and completion of supplier-development work between PPAP acceptance and project closure. The review is planned before SOP and considers final documentation, traceability, completed validation, implemented process-risk actions, long-term capability, production capacity and plant acceptance.

Final specifications, drawings and production control plans are up to date
Traceability is implemented across the supply chain
Process-risk actions are implemented and reflected in controls
Validation results conform; capability and capacity evidence are reviewed
Where required by the approved plan, long-term capability covers 2 production series of 30 parts each
Remaining development actions, packaging and plant acceptance are tracked to closure

Use the approved APQP grid and applicable customer procedure for exact acceptance criteria; this public guide is a practical summary, not a substitute for controlled requirements.

See the APQP phase-to-gate map →

← Phase 4 Discuss an industrialization challenge →

PRATIXUS guidance: adapt this checklist to the product, manufacturing process, supplier setup and applicable customer requirements. Avoid sharing confidential project records in public resources.