The Importance of Effective Process Ownership

IATF 16949:2016, Clause 5.1.1.3 – Process Owners 

“Top management shall identify process owners who are responsible for managing the organization’s processes and related outputs. Process owners shall understand their roles and be competent to perform those roles.” 

What does this mean, and what is expected when interviewing process owners? 

Historically, in many organizations, the QMS has been owned by the quality management representative, and the process owners relied on the quality management representative to answer auditors’ questions. 

This IATF requirement is to ensure that responsibility for the relevant QMS processes lies with the process owners, and they are competent to perform their roles. This includes the competency to: 

• Define the process objectives. 

• Be able to explain the QMS process they are responsible for. 

• Explain how they identify and address risks and opportunities. 

• Demonstrate alignment with customer and regulatory requirements and with the organization objectives. 

• Explain how process effectiveness and efficiency are measured. 

• Demonstrate data literacy to interpret KPIs and drive PDCA actions. 

• Explain how they monitor and measure process outputs and implement improvements. 

• Establish and review KPIs and explain how they act when process results are not met. 

• Ensure the availability of necessary personnel and resources, verifying that everyone in the process is competent. 

• Act as the primary subject matter expert during internal and external audits to defend process effectiveness. 

Auditors will typically interview each process owner and will expect to see signs of ownership, engagement, and improvement. Owners should be able to represent their process, answering questions regarding objectives, measures, performance, and improvements. 

Antonio Cerqueira

Do you want more information on this topic? Don’t hesitate to contact us.