Does PO-Relay manage the PPAP submission process?

PO-Relay doesn't manage PPAP documentation directly. It tracks quality-related communications and flags quality holds on PO lines. The PPAP documentation process itself is managed outside PO-Relay, but the delivery impact is tracked.

Does PO-Relay manage the PPAP submission process?

PO-Relay doesn't manage PPAP documentation directly. It tracks quality-related communications and flags quality holds on PO lines. The PPAP documentation process itself is managed outside PO-Relay, but the delivery impact is tracked.

PPAP (Production Part Approval Process)

The Production Part Approval Process is a quality framework — originally from the automotive industry — that ensures a supplier can consistently manufacture a part to your specifications before it enters regular production. Think of it as the quality gauntlet a new part goes through before you trust it on the line.

Part of the Procurement Glossary

How it works in practice

When you source a new part or qualify a new supplier, PPAP defines the documentation and testing required before the part is approved for production. This includes dimensional results, material certifications, process flow diagrams, control plans, and sample parts.

For production buyers, PPAP primarily matters during new part introduction and supplier qualification. The approval process runs alongside your regular PO tracking — you may have open POs waiting on PPAP approval before they can ship.

PPAP creates its own open loops: documents to review, samples to test, approvals to grant or reject. These loops run in parallel with delivery tracking and need their own monitoring.

Why it matters

PPAP is the gatekeeper between a supplier saying "we can make this" and proving they actually can. Skipping or rushing PPAP leads to quality issues in production — which creates a whole new set of open loops (NCRs, returns, replacement orders).

For buyers, PPAP approval often gates the first production delivery. If the PPAP timeline slips, your delivery timeline slips. Tracking PPAP progress is as important as tracking delivery dates for new parts.

Tips

Track PPAP alongside delivery

Don't treat PPAP as a separate process from your PO tracking. If a PO depends on PPAP approval, track both timelines together so delays in one are visible in the other.

Set clear deadlines for each PPAP level

PPAP has 5 submission levels. Be explicit with the supplier about which level you need and when. Vague expectations lead to incomplete submissions and rework.

How PO-Relay helps

PO-Relay tracks quality-related communications as part of the email classification system. When a supplier sends PPAP documentation or asks questions about approval requirements, the email is classified and linked to the relevant PO lines.

Quality holds — including PPAP-related holds — are one of the problem flags PO-Relay monitors. If a delivery is blocked pending quality approval, the flag keeps it visible in your morning report.