NCR Approval Workflow
The complete disposition workflow from initial review through closure and corrective action.
NCR Status Flow
NCRs follow a defined lifecycle: Open → Under Review → Dispositioned → Closed. Each transition is logged with the reviewer's identity and timestamp. The flow ensures that every quality issue is formally assessed, a decision is made about the affected parts, and the resolution is documented for future reference.
Initial Review
A Supervisor or designated quality lead opens the NCR from the review queue. They verify the information: Is the work order correct? Is the description accurate? Are the quantities reasonable? If additional information is needed, they may contact the operator who filed the NCR for clarification. The reviewer sets the status to "Under Review" to signal that someone is actively working on it.
Disposition Options
After reviewing the evidence, the reviewer selects one of four dispositions: (1) Use As-Is — accept the parts despite the deviation (often with customer concession for contract work). (2) Rework — return the parts to a previous operation for correction. (3) Scrap — reject the parts entirely and update scrap counts. (4) Return to Vendor — if the non-conformance originated from incoming material, return it to the supplier. Each option updates the work order quantities accordingly.
Corrective Action Notes
The reviewer documents what actions are being taken to prevent recurrence. This might include: adjusting a tool offset, replacing a worn cutter, updating a program, retraining an operator, or flagging a supplier quality issue. Corrective action notes are stored with the NCR and are searchable — they become a knowledge base for preventing future quality problems.
Closing the NCR
After disposition is applied and corrective actions are documented, the reviewer closes the NCR. If the associated work order was on QC Hold, the hold is released and the order can resume production. The closure event is logged and the NCR moves to historical records where it remains permanently for audit purposes.
Reopening an NCR
In rare cases, a closed NCR may need to be reopened — for example, if the same defect recurs or if additional affected parts are discovered after closure. Only Supervisors and Admins can reopen NCRs. Reopening returns the NCR to "Open" status and initiates a new review cycle.