Original Date: 04/20/1998
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Previously, ITT Aerospace/Communications Division (A/CD) used an informal method to distribute information on problems found during the documentation review of the Quick Reaction Center (QRC) & Quick Reaction Test (QRT) process. Communication consisted of informal memos and photographs of these assembly issues. Since the information did not always reach all concerned parties, the same problems often reoccurred. In addition, no formal follow-up system existed to prevent a recurrence on subsequent designs.

The Postmortem Process starts in the QRC where documentation, process assembly, and test issues are recorded. Issues are reviewed for merit by a QRC supervisor and advanced manufacturing engineers. Following the review, issues are taken directly to the person responsible and discussed further. Next, corrective actions are undertaken, and a formal postmortem report is generated. Each report is also reviewed by manufacturing and engineering personnel in a formal meeting. Any issues that are not resolved or require a root cause elimination are generated on an action register. The Postmortem Process is an extension of the QRC & QRT process.

ITT A/CD’s Postmortem Process improves the manufacturability and testability of products built in the QRC. In addition, the process identifies consistent issues, and tracks the progress in resolving problems. Information obtained from the Postmortem Process enables engineers to generate QRC Job Start Checklists and improve design guidelines.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.