Deciding which checks and measurements are needed

Checks of ingredients and packaging materials and checks of finished packed product before despatch from the factory are a combination of visual and laboratory inspections.

It is of fundamental importance that tests and inspections should be related to need.

Ask the questions,

• What properties of a material are likely to cause quality or process control problems if they deviate from specification?
• Who needs to know the results of a test?
• How quickly is the result of the test needed for action?
• What would be the consequence if the test was not done?

If the results of a test will never result in any action then it is probable that the test is a waste of time!

If after a doing a test for a number of weeks or months there are never any actionable results it is probable that the test should be discontinued.