Incorporating elements of the Automotive Industry Action Group's (AIAG) advanced product quality planning (APQP) system into Kohler Company's new product development process

Abstract

The Automotive Industry Action Group's (AIAG) Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) system is a new product development process designed to assure that the product developed satisfies the customer. The APQP system facilitates early and constant communication by utilizing cross-functional teams that often include customers and suppliers. The APQP process incorporates quality planning steps throughout the new product development process that promote improved manufacturability, low cost designs, reduced time-to-market and customer satisfaction. The purpose of this study is to determine which elements of the APQP system would be most beneficial to incorporate into Kohler Company's new product development process and to develop a plan for their implementation. The researcher will identify gaps between the two systems and select the most beneficial elements to implement in terms of cost and quality. The researcher will then develop a model incorporating the new elements and develop an implementation plan.