How to Differentiate Critical to Quality (CTQ) Characteristics in Your Control Plan

What is a Critical to Quality (CTQ) characteristic?

Critical to Quality (CTQ) characteristics are features that affect the safety or function a product. A CTQ characteristic:

• Directly impacts the safety, regulatory, or functional performance requirements of the part
• Requires verification of part conformance during production

How do you know if a characteristic is CTQ? 

CTQ characteristics are usually identified on the part drawing, and can be marked in several ways: 

• A pill/cartouche surrounding the dimension on the part drawing
• Called out in a note somewhere on the drawing

How do I differentiate CTQ characteristics in my control plans and part drawings?

With InspectionXpert, you can:

• Set up custom balloons for CTQ features (customize shape, color, etc.)
• Add classifications, including "Critical", to each characteristic on your drawing
• Save your custom balloon settings to use in future projects

You can then export your ballooned part drawing to a PDF and all your characteristic data to an Excel inspection report.

Want to see how much time you can save by using InspectionXpert to create your inspection plans and reports? Get started with free access.