---
title: 4 Best Practices for Handling Non-Conformance | QMS Solution
description: No matter how hard you work to maintain your quality standards, you will encounter non-conformances. Learn the best way to handle non-conformances!
image: https://info.docxellent.com/hubfs/4%20Best%20Practices%20for%20Handling%20Non-Conformances%20.png
---

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       Control your organization’s content across the globe or down the hallway with our flexible, secure, user-friendly online document control software, ENSUR.
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      #### [Version Control](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/version-control/)
      
       Your document control management protocol encompasses a wide variety of processes integral to the continued flow of your business. Version control, and how it’s handled, is often a pain point for companies, especially those managing content with paper or a file share.
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       Our document management system, ENSUR, helps you manage your critical business documents with a configurable level of security and control.
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       See how you can easily manage packaging documents, specifications and suppliers with our comprehensive document control software, ENSUR.
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      #### [Quality Control Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/quality-management/)
      
       Guaranteeing that your products and services meet the standards of your clients is easy with our document management and quality control software, ENSUR.
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      #### [Specification Document Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/specification-management/)
      
       Specification Management is easy with our document management software, ENSUR. We can even migrate legacy content seamlessly for easy access.
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       We can help exceed your quality document management goals and report on employee training in seconds with our document management software, ENSUR.
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      #### [Document Migration](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/document-management-software-migration/)
      
       DocXellent has helped many clients, from Fortune 500 companies to smaller firms, migrate data into our  ENSUR document control system.
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      #### [Biotech](https://docxellent.com/industries/biotech-document-management/)
      
      Biotech chaos got you down? DocXellent's ENSUR streamlines workflows, conquers compliance, and accelerates breakthroughs. Be the first to market, not the first to rework.
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      #### [Food and Beverage](https://docxellent.com/industries/food-beverage-quality-management-software/)
      
      Our document management software helps companies in the food & beverage industry comply with FDA audit & SQF audit control guidelines. Contact DocXellent today!
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      Laboratory companies must control their business content in accordance with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). See how our document control software can help.
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      Our document management software can help with your medical device compliance. Contact us today for more document control information on the medical device industry.
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      Our document control software helps you easily satisfy auditor requests with a document master list for FDA & EPA compliance. Quality Document Control.
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      #### [Other](https://docxellent.com/industries/other/)
      
      Unlock seamless document control in any industry with ENSUR. Whether you're looking to navigate regulatory requirements, ensure quality standards, or optimize your workflows, our powerful document management software is tailored to meet your specific needs. Learn more about the specific industries we cater to here.
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       Need to access your industry standards and regulations? Visit our DocXellent resources page for more useful information on document control systems and regulations.
- [Our Company](https://docxellent.com/company/) 
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      #### [About Us](https://docxellent.com/company/about-us/)
      
       DocXellent has been providing a trusted, web based document management system with quality control management solutions to companies from start-up businesses to the Fortune 500 since 1983.
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       Meet some of the team that makes DocXellent tick. Get to know the people who will be partnering with you in your success!
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      #### [Customers and Partners](https://docxellent.com/company/customers-partners/)
      
       These are the brands and organizations that have experienced the power of our document control system, ENSUR
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       Contact Us to receive more information about our product and services including document management software.
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            #### [ENSUR](https://docxellent.com/products/ensur-document-management-system/)
            
             ENSUR is an easy-to-use, configurable, web-based Document Management and Quality Control Software System that will dramatically help you to improve and manage the efficiency of paper based or uncontrolled electronic file based processes.
          - [ENSUR Lite](https://info.docxellent.com/ensur-lite)
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            #### [Document Management 101](https://docxellent.com/guide-to-document-management-101/)
            
            Cut the Clutter, Boost Efficiency: Dive into our Document Management 101 guide and discover how taking your files digital unlocks hidden productivity, strengthens compliance, and unleashes the full potential of your workflows.
          - [ENSUR Cloud](https://docxellent.com/products/ensurcloud/)
            
            [![ENSUR Cloud Document Management System](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ENSUR-Cloud-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/products/ensurcloud/)
            
            #### [ENSUR Cloud](https://docxellent.com/products/ensurcloud/)
            
             Whether you’re an existing customer, a company looking to make a change in your provider or implementing your first document control, packaging specification, training management or quality system, DocXellent can provide the option of on-premises or a robust, secure and proven cloud based installation.
          - [ENSUR Case Studies](https://docxellent.com/products/case-studies/)
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            #### [CAPA Solutions](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/capa-solutions/)
            
             Easily collect, correlate, investigate and make informed improvements to your processes with our CAPA management software, ENSUR.
          - [Change Control](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/change-control/)
            
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            #### [Change Control](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/change-control/)
            
             See how our document control management software, ENSUR, can automate your change control processes.
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            #### [Document Control Software](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/document-control-software/)
            
             Control your organization’s content across the globe or down the hallway with our flexible, secure, user-friendly online document control software, ENSUR.
          - [Version Control](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/version-control/)
            
            [![Version Document Control](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Version-Control--350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/version-control/)
            
            #### [Version Control](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/version-control/)
            
             Your document control management protocol encompasses a wide variety of processes integral to the continued flow of your business. Version control, and how it’s handled, is often a pain point for companies, especially those managing content with paper or a file share.
          - [Intellectual Property Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/intellectual-property-control/)
            
            [![Intellectual Property Management Deviations & Complaints](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Intellectual-Property-Management-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/intellectual-property-control/)
            
            #### [Intellectual Property Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/intellectual-property-control/)
            
             Our document management system, ENSUR, helps you manage your critical business documents with a configurable level of security and control.
          - [Packaging Management System](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/packaging-management/)
            
            [![Packaging Management Specification Data](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Packaging-Management-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/packaging-management/)
            
            #### [Packaging Management System](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/packaging-management/)
            
             See how you can easily manage packaging documents, specifications and suppliers with our comprehensive document control software, ENSUR.
          - [Quality Control Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/quality-management/)
            
            [![Quality Control Document Management](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Quality-Control-Management-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/quality-management/)
            
            #### [Quality Control Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/quality-management/)
            
             Guaranteeing that your products and services meet the standards of your clients is easy with our document management and quality control software, ENSUR.
          - [Specification Document Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/specification-management/)
            
            [![ENSUR Specification Management System](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Specification-Management-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/specification-management/)
            
            #### [Specification Document Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/specification-management/)
            
             Specification Management is easy with our document management software, ENSUR. We can even migrate legacy content seamlessly for easy access.
          - [Training Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/training-management/)
            
            [![Web-Based Training Management Software](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Training-Management-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/training-management/)
            
            #### [Training Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/training-management/)
            
             We can help exceed your quality document management goals and report on employee training in seconds with our document management software, ENSUR.
          - [Document Migration](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/document-management-software-migration/)
    - [Industries](https://docxellent.com/industries/) 
          - [Biotech](https://docxellent.com/industries/biotech-document-management/)
            
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            #### [Biotech](https://docxellent.com/industries/biotech-document-management/)
            
            Biotech chaos got you down? DocXellent's ENSUR streamlines workflows, conquers compliance, and accelerates breakthroughs. Be the first to market, not the first to rework.
          - [Food and Beverage](https://docxellent.com/industries/food-beverage-quality-management-software/)
            
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            #### [Food and Beverage](https://docxellent.com/industries/food-beverage-quality-management-software/)
            
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            Laboratory companies must control their business content in accordance with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). See how our document control software can help.
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# 4 Best Practices for Handling Non-Conformances

May 12, 2021

![4 Best Practices for Handling Non-Conformances ](https://info.docxellent.com/hs-fs/hubfs/4%20Best%20Practices%20for%20Handling%20Non-Conformances%20.png?width=810&name=4%20Best%20Practices%20for%20Handling%20Non-Conformances%20.png)

No matter how hard you work to maintain your quality standards, you are bound to encounter non-conformances at some point. A non-conformance in quality management is defined as any type of deviation from a specification, a standard, or a production expectation that indicates something went wrong along an assembly process. To help you better prepare for these instances, this article will discuss four tips to prevent and address non-conformances, including proper supplier management, customer feedback, and internal inspections and audits. Read on to learn more.

**1. Establish a system for supplier management**

Although they may be a third-party organization, suppliers are a direct extension of your company. They provide you with the necessary parts, pieces, materials, and/or software to create your product. So, how well you manage your supplier processes plays a large role in the quality of your production line. If the supplies they offer are sub-par, delivery is consistently late, or you regularly receive the wrong materials, you’ll be facing non-conformances and customer complaints that are completely avoidable.

The first step in a well-managed supplier process is evaluating the vendors you choose to make sure they’re qualified. This evaluation begins before you start receiving materials and may include a survey of various questions to help you judge initial suitability.

[Check out this supplier evaluation checklist template by Process.st](https://www.process.st/checklist/vendor-management-supplier-evaluation/)

Once you’ve chosen a supplier and are receiving goods from them, it’s crucial to properly monitor and oversee them. Utilize documentation and software that allows you to track both orders and non-conformances per supplier. This way, if there are deviations from your standards that stem from supplier mistakes, you can handle them more efficiently and keep them from occurring again. A [specification management system](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/specification-management/) can make this process simple by allowing you to set up automatic notifications that let your suppliers know when specifications become effective or are updated. These spec systems create a transparency throughout your supply chain to ensure all stakeholders are working from the most up-to-date version of a spec.

Moreover, it is important to keep an open stream of communication with your suppliers. This means keeping them regularly informed and up to date on your strategy, procedures and specification changes. This helps them know where they fit in your process and how they can help make your production line as efficient as possible. Prioritize making them your business partner; let them know which strategies are working and which aren’t. A stronger, deeper relationship with clear and frequent communication allows this interaction to become more organic and benefit both parties. This will mitigate non-conformance instances that stem from a lack of clear communication and understanding.

**2. Document and analyze customer feedback**

While all serious customer complaints are recorded and handled, customer feedback can also be a powerful tool in minimizing non-conformances. Taking notice of what customers are saying about your product helps you notice small issues that could turn into major non-conformances down the line and opens up an opportunity for process improvement.

To take advantage of feedback, spend the time to fully analyze the statements your company receives. Studying what your customers say can help you spot trends and determine the root cause of performance issues, which is vital in preventing non-conformances. Understanding the root differentiates a singular lapse in quality from a process flaw that needs to be mitigated. Based on what your customers are saying, your company can determine which issues are worth looking into so that they don’t morph into serious issues. No system is perfect, problems along your production line are bound to occur. But by using customer feedback to your advantage, you can successfully prevent non-conformances before they happen.

**3. Perform inspections during every part of your production process**

Oftentimes preventing non-conformances starts with simple inspections throughout the production process. This means that before a product can even go through your manufacturing process, you need to outline inspection criteria for each stage of its journey; inbound, in-process, packaging, and shipping. If you don’t segment your inspection standards into each of these sections, you could be ready to ship a product and discover there is a quality process issue that occurred three steps earlier. Non-conformances of these types can wreak havoc on not only your outbound schedule but also your bottom-line.

An important step in performing product inspections is to define the critical dimensions of your inspection criteria. For example, you might have specifications that outline the dimensions your product is supposed to be. A quick check of a product during in-process will determine if your manufacturing is aligned with the proper dimensions and is thus meeting your quality standards. There are usually two or three critical dimensions like these that your inspector can check very quickly to determine if the part is good.

It is also important to understand that there might be different steps of the [quality management process](https://info.docxellent.com/blog/main-components-quality-management) that require different levels of inspection, depending on the product you’re evaluating. If you have inspection standards in place, they need to be rigorous and complete. If your evaluations aren’t thorough, it will be easy to overlook possible quality issues that lead to more serious non-conformances down the line.

**4. Conduct internal audits**

Internal audits are a great way to prevent non-conformances by ensuring your company’s processes are meeting your quality standards. The overarching goal of an [internal audit](https://docxellent.com/stress-audits/) is to ensure that your company’s policies and procedures are followed and to alert you of any holes in your standard compliance so that they can be resolved before they cause more serious problems.

Internal Audits need to be scheduled at regular intervals to check whether your manufacturing processes conform to the quality requirements your company has outlined. Any previous quality findings and past audit conclusions become valuable data moving forward in your quality process. Observations raised during internal audits could be classified as preventive actions as they can suggest improvements within the system to prevent non-conformances from occurring in the future. These audits will also help ensure your company is complying with regulatory standards, such as ISO 9001, further bolstering your overall quality process.

The biggest key to conducting an internal audit is to take it seriously and ensure the quality process is demanding. When looking for a third-party audit service provider, or when putting together your own internal auditing program, make sure that the audit will look through every aspect of your quality process. This will ensure that there are no holes in your findings, and you can feel relaxed knowing all of your business procedures are solid and you are preventing production mistakes wherever possible.

Effectively preventing and managing non-conformances is an essential part of an organization’s quality improvement plan. Less non-conformance instances results in fewer defective products and processes, resulting in more satisfied customers.

**Check out our other resources on this topic:**

- [Best Practices from an Expert on the Quality Audit Process](https://info.docxellent.com/blog/best-practices-from-an-expert-on-the-quality-audit-process)
- [The Ultimate Guide to Implementing Quality Management](https://info.docxellent.com/ultimate-guide-to-implementing-quality-management)
- [How Quality Professionals Should Manage Specifications](https://info.docxellent.com/blog/how-quality-professionals-should-manage-specifications)
- [How Quality Management Helps You Adhere to ISO 9001 Standards](https://info.docxellent.com/blog/how-quality-management-helps-adhere-to-iso-9001-standards)
- [The 5 Fastest Ways to Fail an ISO Audit](https://info.docxellent.com/blog/iso-audit-mistakes)
- [Interview With a Quality Expert](https://info.docxellent.com/blog/interview-with-a-quality-expert)

A [Quality Management System](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/quality-management/) (QMS) such as ENSUR can help your company optimize your non-conformance processes. If you are looking to effectively manage and decrease your non-conformance instances, [contact DocXellent](https://docxellent.com/company/contact-us/) today.

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 Tags: [quality management software system](https://info.docxellent.com/blog/topic/quality-management-software-system), [supplier collaboration](https://info.docxellent.com/blog/topic/supplier-collaboration), [audit](https://info.docxellent.com/blog/topic/audit), [non-conformances](https://info.docxellent.com/blog/topic/non-conformances)

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