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1. Confirm eligibility and boundaries

Review products, organizational activities, manufacturing locations and support functions before setting a schedule. Being part of an automotive supply chain does not by itself establish the certification route for every site. Check current official IATF information and discuss eligibility with the intended certification body.

2. Maintain customer requirements

Bring contracts, technical agreements, customer-specific requirements, supplier manuals and valid portal notices into one controlled register. Assign an owner and affected process to each requirement. Identify the valid revision, the update-monitoring responsibility and how changes reach the workplace.

3. Trace a representative product

Connect product characteristics and process steps with equipment, measurement and nonconformity control. Risk analysis, control plans, work instructions and records should describe the same operation. Verify that controls are practical and reaction plans are understood.

4. Check data definitions

Define the scope and source of delivery, quality, rework and downtime measures. Verify measurement and recording before interpreting trends. Avoid comparing figures collected on incompatible bases.

5. Establish continuing ownership

Assign process owners, management review points and a way to resolve cross-functional issues. Follow training with practical application and verification. Audit findings should lead to process improvement.

References: IATF overview and .