controlling change
The company reviews and controls changes for production or service provision to the extent necessary to ensure continuing conformity with requirements. The company retains documented information describing the results of the review of change, the person(s) authorising the change, and any necessary actions arising from the review.
And in meerkat terminology…”simples”. Well the change control is. The design, production, servicing may not, but let’s not drag in details to ruin a good blog.
It is all about the change and the controlling of the change and the roles and responsibilities that are defined around change. Get the who can do what when right (and don’t forget the fallback, second in command, super sub scenarios), then the change process can be designed to best fit yourselves, using the best model, methodology and tools that you need.
This can be as simple as marking a hard copy drawing on the CNC machine with a new agreed tolerance. Having it signed by the person who can do such things. And making sure the amended drawing is kept, the email from the customer requesting the tolerance change is saved and all the relevant communication is conducted to ensure we are in the same page. Yep, simples for a bush on an axle for a billy cart. However, I hope this is not the process when changing a specification for the in valve flange on a passenger jet engine. Horses for course, risk management for risk consequence.
Focus on the workflow based on the contract managed by your resources. Don’t go inventing best practice or should practice when quality practice will get the job done at the right price.
One last thing. This clause states you will keep records (retained documented information). No ifs, buts or dodging. Make sure that the process ensures that records are where they are supposed to be and kept for as long as contractually, legally required.