Original Date: 09/14/1998
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Per MIL-STD-1520 (Corrective Action and Disposition System for Non-Conforming Material), all major DOD weapon systems contractors were required to control non-conformances; determine the cause and necessary corrective action in such instances; and setup Corrective Action Boards (CABs) to assure the effectiveness of corrective action efforts. This military specification was canceled as part of DOD’s initiative for acquisition reform, which emphasizes increased reliance on commercial and performance requirements rather than military requirements. In response to this action, Raytheon Missile Systems Company (RMSC) established Corrective and Preventive Action Teams (CPATs) to proactively address methods for reducing non-conformances. Similar in makeup to CABs, CPATs consist of engineering, quality, and production managers.

In January 1998, RMSC initiated a company quality policy calling for all missile factories to transition from CABs to CPATs, so that the focus would be on preventive and corrective actions. This policy is in consonance with agile manufacturing efforts used to eliminate waste and improve efficiencies. CPATs meet at least once a month, and address the trends and goals that are identified by individual IPTs of missile programs. Issues are categorized as process, product, or quality. Next, CPATs issue Corrective and Preventive Action reports to IPTs for analysis and improvement actions. This early focus on trends and quality provides a more proactive way to improve quality at an earlier stage than previously possible. IPTs then report back to the CPATs on the results of investigations and planned preventive actions. Reports from CPAT meetings are also forwarded to company management to heighten awareness and promote communications among the missile production lines.

CPATs enable RMSC to support information technology and agile manufacturing initiatives. By implementing these teams, the company fosters a proactive means to eliminate potential causes of non-conformances, reduce cost drivers, decrease manufacturing cycle times, and pursue waste reduction. Trends and goals relating to scrap, rework, defects per million opportunities, and test yield are also reviewed by management on a regular basis.

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