Subject: SAP Quality Management (QM)
Effective quality management depends not only on identifying defects but also on documenting, analyzing, and resolving quality issues systematically. In SAP Quality Management (QM), Quality Notifications serve as a vital tool to record and manage nonconformities, defects, and customer complaints throughout the product lifecycle.
This article provides an overview of Quality Notifications, explaining how to create and process them within SAP QM to support continuous improvement and regulatory compliance.
A Quality Notification is a formal record of a quality problem or deviation detected in materials, products, or processes. It captures essential information such as the description of the defect, the affected material or batch, the source of the problem, and corrective actions.
Quality Notifications help organizations track and manage quality issues efficiently, ensuring accountability and timely resolution.
SAP QM supports several types of Quality Notifications tailored to different scenarios:
Each notification type can be customized with specific workflows and fields according to business requirements.
In SAP GUI, use transaction codes such as QM01 (Create Notification) to begin the process.
Choose the appropriate notification type (e.g., complaint, internal) and link it to a reference object like a material, equipment, or order number.
Provide detailed information including:
Attach inspection results, photos, or any relevant files that support the notification.
Once all necessary data is entered, save the notification to generate a unique notification number.
After creation, processing involves several key activities to investigate and resolve the issue:
Identify root causes using methods such as 5-Why analysis or Ishikawa diagrams, documented within the notification.
Assign tasks to responsible personnel or departments for corrective and preventive actions. SAP QM workflows can automate notifications and approvals.
Track the execution of CAPA steps, including re-inspections or process adjustments.
Once the issue is resolved and verified, close the notification. The system maintains the history for audit and continuous improvement purposes.
Quality Notifications are closely integrated with:
Quality Notifications in SAP QM are essential for managing quality issues effectively throughout the product lifecycle. By properly creating and processing notifications, organizations can identify problems early, assign corrective actions promptly, and drive continuous quality improvements. Integrating Quality Notifications with broader SAP processes ensures transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance.