CAPA Full Form: Corrective and Preventive Action
Definition
CAPA stands for Corrective and Preventive Action — a structured process to find the root cause of a quality problem, fix it so it does not recur (corrective), and stop similar problems before they occur (preventive).
| Term | CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) |
|---|---|
| In Hindi | सुधारात्मक और निवारक कार्रवाई (CAPA) |
| Area | Production & quality |
| Search phrase | CAPA full form |
| Try it | NCR |
सुधारात्मक और निवारक कार्रवाई (CAPA) — हिंदी में अर्थ
CAPA का पूरा नाम Corrective and Preventive Action है — गुणवत्ता समस्या का मूल कारण खोजकर उसे दोबारा न होने देने (सुधारात्मक) और ऐसी समस्याओं को पहले से रोकने (निवारक) की प्रक्रिया।
CAPA process steps
1. Describe the problem. 2. Contain it (segregate stock, inform the customer). 3. Find the root cause — 5 Whys or fishbone. 4. Decide and implement actions. 5. Verify the actions worked. 6. Close and standardise (update drawings, work instructions, training).
Corrective vs preventive
Corrective action responds to a problem that has happened. Preventive action addresses a risk that has not yet caused a problem — for example applying a fix found on one machine to all similar machines.
Example
Weld cracks on frames traced (5 Whys) to wrong wire grade issued by stores; corrective: grade-coded bins and issue check; preventive: same control applied to all welding consumables.
Related tools and guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the full form of CAPA?
Corrective and Preventive Action.
What is the difference between correction and corrective action?
Correction fixes the defective item; corrective action removes the cause so it does not happen again.
Is CAPA required for ISO 9001?
ISO 9001 requires corrective action for nonconformities and actions to address risks — CAPA is the usual way to do both.
How long should a CAPA take?
It depends on the problem, but each CAPA should have an owner and a target date, and stay open until effectiveness is verified.
Related terms
- 5 Whys (root cause analysis)The 5 Whys is a root cause analysis technique in which a team asks 'why?' repeatedly — typically about five times — starting from a problem, until it reaches a cause that, if fixed, stops the problem coming back.
- 5S5S is a workplace organisation method with five steps: Sort (Seiri), Set in order (Seiton), Shine (Seiso), Standardise (Seiketsu) and Sustain (Shitsuke).
- DMAIC (Six Sigma)DMAIC — Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control — is the five-step, data-driven problem-solving method used in Six Sigma to improve an existing process by finding and removing the root causes of defects and variation.
- First pass yield (FPY)First pass yield (FPY) is the percentage of units that pass a process step correctly the first time, without rework, repair or scrap. FPY = units passed first time ÷ units entering the step × 100.
- Fishbone diagram (Ishikawa)A fishbone diagram, also called an Ishikawa or cause-and-effect diagram, lays out all the possible causes of a problem in categories along the 'bones' of a fish whose head is the problem, so that a team can brainstorm and then test the likely ones.
- Job workJob work means processing of goods belonging to another registered person (the principal) — such as machining, plating, painting or heat treatment. Under GST, the principal can send goods to a job worker on a challan without paying tax, if they come back in time.