1. SCM (Supply Chain Management)
  2. Inventory Management
  3. Quality Management
  4. Quality Management Overview
  5. The Quality Tab

The Quality Tab

The Quality tab puts all your quality records in one place and organizes them into these topics:

QMS Tablet

To open the Quality Management tablet interface, go to Quality > QMS Tablet > Tablet.

On Demand Inspections

The Quality Management SuiteApp lets you trigger an inspection queue whenever you need, with or without a NetSuite transaction. You can inspect an item as many times as you want.

To create an Ad Hoc Creation Request, go to Quality > On Demand Inspections > Ad Hoc > New.

Quality Management SuiteApp also give you enhanced quality control with ad hoc inspection queues, which you can manually trigger to inspect items. For more information, see Ad Hoc Inspection Queues.

Preferences

To open Quality Management Preferences, go to Quality > Preferences.

The Quality Preferences section displays the following features:

  • Settings - provides file storage for the Quality Management SuiteApp.

    To learn more, see Setting Up Quality Management File Storage.

  • Parameters - enables you to assign inspection data reporting to specific employees and define who can update this data.

    To learn more, see Inspection Data Reporting.

  • Quality Management Tablet Role Access - enables you to assign role access to the quality tablet.

Setup

The Quality setup section displays the following features:

  • Data Fields - Quality inspection data fields let you define what types of data to collect during an inspection. You can add as many data fields as you need, like boolean, integer, or float.

    For more information, see Data Fields.

  • Inspections - Quality inspections define data fields and associated standards to examine, measure, compare, or test product material or characteristics.

    For more information, see Quality Inspections.

  • Specifications - Quality specifications group related inspections that define inspection scenarios and enable inspections to be refined in relation to specific items, like default values or standards. They're the foundation for capturing quality data, creating reports, improving workflows, and identifying non-conformance.

    For more information, see Quality Specifications.

  • Assign Inspections - After an inspection is triggered, it shows up in the data collection tool's inspection queue. A quality manager can control key details of the pending inspection, like who's assigned, its priority, and status. For more information, see Configure Quality Inspections.

Reports

You can run and view Quality reports to review your Quality Management SuiteApp setup and inspection results. Each report opens in a new window, so you can preview results and refine your criteria.

To learn more, see Quality Management Reports.

The Reports subtab enables you to view the following quality reports:

Non-Conformance Register (NCR)

The Non-Conformance Register (NCR) feature in the Quality Management SuiteApp enables you to identify, record, track, and resolve non-conformances through each stage of the non-conformance process.

The SuiteApp creates an NCR record in the following scenarios:

  • Automatically when a failed inspection meets the configured criteria.

  • Manually after you submit a request for an eligible failed Quality Inventory Result (QIR).

You can also import CSV files with NCR records.

The feature provides real-time reporting by item, lot number, serial number, and defect type. This reporting enables standard QM role you to identify recurring issues, prioritize high-risk non-conformances, and make informed, data-driven decisions.

Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) Management

Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) management enables you to assign action owners, define due dates, monitor progress, and close NCR records on time. This approach improves accountability, reduces recurring defects, reduce recurring defects, and supports compliance with quality and regulatory standards.

NCR and CAPA Process Flow

After an NCR record is created for failed Quality Inventory Result (QIR) records, each record moves through the following statuses:

  • Initiated - Capture the initial findings at lot or serial level or for an inspection failure.

  • Initial Review Completed - Review the initial findings and update the status with the required comments.

  • RCA Completed - Complete root cause analysis (RCA) and update the status with RCA information.

  • Corrective Action Implemented - Use the RCA findings to take the required corrective and preventive actions for the inventory.

  • Verified & Closed - The associated NCR owner can review and verify the implemented corrective and preventive actions before closing the record.

NCR and CAPA Permissions

You can assign NCR related permissions to roles so that users can access and process NCR records. You can also update existing custom roles with the required permissions. For more information, see the Quality Management Roles topic.

By default, the following roles are provided with standard permissions:

Role

Permission Level to Work on NCR Records

Administrator

Full

Quality Administrator

Full

Quality Manager

Full

Quality Engineer

Full

NCR SetUp

Before users process NCR records, administrators should configure the NCR setup lists. These lists provide values for NCR review, root cause analysis, and CAPA processing. These values appear as dropdown options on NCR records and help standardize how non-conformance details are captured.

The following NCR setup parameters are available:

SetUp Item

Used In

Purpose

Inspection - Failure Reasons

Inspection level findings

Identifies why an inspection failed.

RCA - Root Causes Categories

Root cause analysis

Identifies the cause of non-conformance.

RCA - Occurrence Frequencies

Root cause analysis

Indicates how often the issue occurs.

RCA - Impacts Levels

Root cause analysis or review

Indicates business or quality impact.

CAPA - Disposition Types

CAPA actions

Indicates action urgency.

CAPA - Preventive Action Types

CAPA actions

Defines actions to prevent recurrence.

CAPA - Priority Levels

CAPA actions

Defines how affected material is handled, such as rework, scrap, or use as-is.

Common Fields in the NCR Setup List

All NCR setup list records use the following fields:

Field

Description

Name

Enter a unique name for the set up category.

Description

Enter additional details to help users understand when to use this value.

To create an NCR setup list value:

NetSuite populates the remaining fields automatically.

  1. Go to Quality > Non-Conformance Register (NCR) Setup.

  2. Select the setup list that you want to configure.

  3. Click New.

  4. Enter a value in the Name field.

  5. In the Description field, enter additional details to help users understand when to use this set up item.

  6. Click Save.

Automatically Initiating NCR Records

When a lot-controlled or serialized item fails inspection, the record is created. When you check the Required Non-Conformance Register box for a quality specification context, the SuiteApp automatically initiates an NCR record. For more information, see Creating a Specification Context.

Requesting NCR Record Initiation for Failed QIRs

Use the Create NCR page to submit an NCR creation request for an eligible failed QIR that does not have an NCR record. Users with Administrator, Quality Administrator, Quality Manager, or Quality Engineer roles can process NCR records. Custom roles with the permissions of any of these standard roles can also process NCR records.

To submit an NCR record creation request:

  1. Go to Quality > Non-Conformance Register (NCR) > Create NCR.

  2. Click List Quality Inventory Results (QIR) to see the relevant QIRs on the Failed QIRs without NCR tab.

  3. Use the available filters to view the relevant QIRs.

  4. From the list, select a QIR record and click Create.A banner message confirms the NCR creation request.

Non-Conformance Workflow

Regardless of whether the SuiteApp initiates an NCR record automatically or after a user request, the record follows the same NCR workflow. The default data on an NCR record is sourced from its inspection queue record available on the QMS tablet.

The NCR workflow tracks a non-conformance from creation through review, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action, verification, and closure.

NCR Workflow Statuses

The following table explains the NCR workflow based on each status and the action items at that stage.

Status

Description

Required Action

Next Status

Initiated

The SuiteApp creates the NCR record with an Initiated status and links it to the relevant QIR, inspection queue and transaction record. The NCR owner begins processing the record.

Review the initial findings, update the title, update the quantity affected, and add inspection-level findings as needed.

Initial Review Completed

Initial Review Completed

The initial findings have been reviewed and root cause analysis (RCA) can begin.

Complete RCA and update the RCA information. If RCA is not applicable, mark the record accordingly.

RCA Completed

RCA Completed

The root cause has been identified and corrective action planning can begin.

Create and complete corrective and preventive actions (CAPA). If CAPA is not applicable, mark the record accordingly.

Corrective Action Implemented

Corrective Action Implemented

All corrective and preventive actions have been completed and the NCR record is ready for verification.

Verify the findings, review the completed RCA and CAPA, and close the NCR record.

Verified & Closed

Processing an NCR Record

The following statuses explain the flow of NCR record with the required action items.

  1. Initiated

    The system creates the NCR record with the Initiated status and links it to the source Quality tab shown on QIR, queue and transaction records. The record can include the following system-derived information:

    • NCR number

    • Item

    • Specification

    • Lot number or serial number

    • Inspection queue

    • Quality Inventory Result

    • Transaction type

    • Inventory transaction

    • Parent transaction

    • Vendor or customer, when applicable

    • Starting and ending operations, when applicable

    • NCR owner

    • Created date and last-updated audit information

    At this stage, the NCR owner reviews the failure and prepares the record for investigation.

  2. Complete the Initial Review

    1. Go to Quality > Non-Conformance Register (NCR) > NCR List.

    2. Edit an NCR.

    3. Enter a title in the NCR Title that follows your organization's naming standard.

    4. Enter the Quantity Affected field.

    5. Add summary in the Initial Findings Summary to describe what is observed during inspection.

    6. Review the Inspection Level Findings subtab. Confirm that the inspection, inspection status, reason for failure, and initial finding are correct. You can also add inspection-level findings manually.

    7. (Optional) To add inspection-level findings:

      • In the NCR record, under the Inspection Level Findings subtab, click New QM Inspection Level Findings.

      • Select the Inspection.

      • Select the Reason For Failure.

      • Enter Initial Findings.

      • Click Save.

    8. Click Save.

      The NCR status changes to Initial Review Completed.

  3. Complete Root Cause Analysis

    Note:

    If RCA is not required, check the RCA Not Applicable box, and proceed to the next stage of the NCR workflow.

    If root cause analysis is required:

    1. On the NCR record, select the Root Cause Analysis subtab to create a root cause analysis record.

    2. Click New QM Root Cause Analysis.

    3. Enter or select values in the following fields:

      • Root Cause

      • Root Cause Assessment

      • Occurrence Frequency

      • Impact

      • Assessed By

      • Assessment Date

    4. Click Save.

      Review the saved analysis on the NCR record.

      The NCR status changes to RCA Completed.

  4. Implement Corrective and Preventive Actions

    Note:

    If CAPA is not required, check the CAPA Not Applicable box and proceed to the next stage of the NCR workflow.

    If corrective or preventive action is required:

    1. On the NCR record, select the Corrective and Preventive Actions subtab to create a corrective and preventive actions record.

    2. Click New QM Corrective and Preventive Actions.

    3. Enter or select values in the following fields:

      • Disposition

      • Preventive Action

      • Description

      • Assigned To

      • Due Date

      • Priority

      • Status

    4. Click Save.

      Verify that the system records the Completed By and Completed Date fields for audit purposes.

      The NCR status changes to Corrective Action Implemented.

  5. Verify and Close the NCR

    Before closure, the responsible reviewer verifies:

    • The initial findings are complete and accurately describe the non-conformance.

    • The root cause analysis is complete, or the RCA Not Applicable box is checked.

    • All required corrective and preventive actions are complete, or the CAPA Not Applicable box is checked.

    • The disposition of the affected material is documented. The disposition defines what happens to the affected material, such as hold for review, reinspect, repair, rework, use as-is or deviation approved, scrap, or another configured outcome.

    • Ownership, dates, and completion details are recorded.

  6. When verification is complete, change the NCR status to Verified & Closed and save the record.

Accessing NCRs from Transactions

NCR supports the following inventory transactions:

  • Work order completion

  • Assembly build or work order build

  • Item receipt

  • Item fulfillment

To open an NCR record through a transaction:

  1. Go to a source transaction list. For example: go to Transactions > Manufacturing > Enter Work Orders > List.

  2. Click View.

  3. On the Quality subtab, you can view the NCR records on the QM Non Conformance Register subtab.

Related Topics

General Notices