Checklist

NPI Launch Readiness Checklist: Production, Quality & Supplier Gates

A practical, interactive gate checklist that helps cross-functional teams confirm production capability, quality controls, supplier readiness, training, tooling, containment, and ramp metrics before releasing product to volume. Save responses as part of launch records and capture owners, dates, and evidence links.

Interactive Tool

NPI Launch Readiness Checklist: Production, Quality & Supplier Gates

Use this checklist to align engineering, operations, quality and suppliers before committing to volume production. Complete each section, assign clear owners, capture any evidence links, and sign off when the gate is satisfied. The checklist is intentionally practical — aim to document facts and decisions (not bureaucratic prose).

Suggested practice: attach or link objective evidence (cycle time runs, first-article reports, calibrated tool certificates, training records). If a field is 'No' or 'Hold', add a short remediation plan and a target completion date.

Enter the engineering or design target cycle time for the production process.
Percent target for first-pass yield during launch volumes.
Have production line cycle-times, takt, and capacity been demonstrated to meet volume requirements?
Are tools, fixtures and machines installed, validated, and able to run nominal parts? Include calibration status where relevant.
Summarize cycle-time runs, OEE observations, and link to run sheets, video, SPC charts, or test reports.
Has the process control plan (control points, characteristics, limits) been agreed and versioned?
Are inspection points, sample sizes, and acceptance criteria documented?
Critical gauges and CMMs should be calibrated and available with certificates.
List inspection equipment, SPC plans, and any special checks for launch.
Has the supplier produced and shipped a first-article or PPAP-equivalent that meets specs?
Record the date the first-article or PPAP was accepted.
Normal lead time from order to delivery; note any known variability.
Self-assessment of supplier readiness for launch
Include supplier corrective actions, capacity commitments, or backup sources.
Do operators have clear, versioned SOPs and visual work instructions for launch tasks?
Enter percent of identified operators who have completed launch training.
Link to completed training logs, quizzes, or sign-off sheets.
List trainers, scope of training, and any planned re-training schedules.
Is there a documented plan for containing defects and protecting customers during launch?
List names, roles, and phone/email for rapid escalation during launch issues.
What immediate actions will be taken if a critical defect is found? Include stop-build criteria.
A short risk assessment to focus mitigation efforts
Short-term ramp targets to confirm throughput and learning rates.
Medium-term ramp target when stabilizing volume.
Operational efficiency expectation for the launch period.
Any assumptions, constraints, or measures for monitoring ramp performance.
Decision based on the checklist and evidence
Person responsible for gate decision and remediation follow-up.
Date of approval or hold decision. Use yyyy-mm-dd where possible.
Capture anything not covered above that stakeholders should know.
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