• Best practice – Recommended procedure based on experience
• Benchmarking – Comparison of processes with best-in-class companies

• Change management – process for managing change
• Compliance – adherence to legal and normative requirements
• Controlling – monitoring and management of business processes

• Documentation – Systematic recording of process results
• Data analysis – Evaluation of data for process improvement

• Efficiency – ratio of output to input in processes
• Evaluation – assessment of processes and results

• FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) – method for identifying potential sources of error

• Gap Analysis – Comparison between current process performance and required standards to identify areas for improvement in VDA 6.3 audits.

• Governance – The framework of policies and responsibilities that ensure processes meet quality and compliance objectives.

• Grade – The scoring or rating result derived from the VDA 6.3 audit evaluation system.

• Hoshin Kanri – Strategic planning method aligning company goals with quality and process improvements.
• Human Error – Unintentional mistake by personnel; a common root cause investigated during process audits.
• Handover Process – Transfer of responsibility between project phases, verified to ensure no loss of information or quality.

• Internal Audit – Audit conducted by the organization itself to evaluate compliance with VDA 6.3 and internal standards.
• Interface Management – Coordination of communication and data exchange between departments or suppliers.
• Inspection Plan – Document defining what characteristics to check, how, and with which methods during production.

• Just-in-Time (JIT) – Production and delivery concept ensuring materials arrive exactly when needed; assessed in logistics audits.
• Job Instruction – Detailed work instruction ensuring consistent performance of a task within process standards.
• Judgment Criteria – Defined set of rules auditors use to evaluate compliance or deviations.

• Key Performance Indicator (KPI) – Quantitative metric used to measure process efficiency and quality.
• Knowledge Management – Systematic handling of organizational knowledge to support continuous improvement.
• Kanban – Lean production method for controlling workflow and inventory.

• Lesson Learned – Documented experience from past projects used to improve future processes.
• Logistics Chain – Entire flow of materials and information from supplier to customer, reviewed in process audits.
• Line Capability – Ability of a production line to maintain process stability and meet quality requirements.

• Measurement System Analysis (MSA) – Evaluation of measurement processes to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Management Review – Periodic evaluation by leadership to ensure quality system effectiveness.
• Mitigation Plan – Set of actions to reduce or eliminate identified risks.

• Nonconformity – Deviation from specified requirements detected during an audit or inspection.
• New Product Introduction (NPI) – Structured process of launching new products, monitored under VDA 6.3.
• Normalization – Standardization of processes to improve repeatability and consistency.

• Objective Evidence – Verified information used to support audit findings and conclusions.
• Operational Control – Activities ensuring that processes are carried out as planned.
• Outsourced Process – Process performed by an external provider, still under the organization’s quality responsibility.

• Process Capability (Cpk) – Statistical measure of a process’s ability to produce within specification limits.
• Preventive Action – Proactive step to eliminate potential nonconformities before they occur.
• Project Management – Coordination of resources and activities to meet quality, cost, and delivery targets.

• Quality Gate – Defined checkpoint in a process where specific criteria must be met before proceeding.
• Qualification Matrix – Document showing required and actual skills of personnel involved in production.
• Quality Planning – Early phase activities ensuring customer requirements are translated into process controls.

• Risk Assessment – Systematic identification and evaluation of potential process risks.
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) – Method to identify underlying causes of problems to prevent recurrence.
• Run@Rate – Validation test to confirm the production process can sustain required output and quality.

• Supplier Management – Evaluation and control of suppliers to ensure consistent quality and delivery.
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) – Documented set of instructions to perform tasks correctly.
• SPC (Statistical Process Control) – Method using data to monitor and control process variation.

• Turtle Diagram – Visual tool used in audits to describe and analyze process elements (inputs, outputs, methods, etc.).
• Traceability – Ability to track materials and processes from supplier to customer.
• Training Effectiveness – Measurement of how well training improves process performance or compliance.

• Update Management – Controlled process for revising and communicating changes in documents or processes.
• Utilization Rate – Metric indicating how effectively equipment or personnel capacity is used.
• Uncertainty of Measurement – Quantified doubt about the result of a measurement, considered in quality control.

• Validation – Confirmation that a process or system fulfills its intended purpose under real conditions.
• Verification – Confirmation through evidence that specified requirements have been met.
• Value Stream Mapping (VSM) – Lean method for visualizing and improving process flow.

• Work Instruction – Detailed step-by-step guidance for performing specific tasks.
• Workflow Optimization – Improvement of process flow to eliminate waste and inefficiencies.
• Warranty Data Analysis – Evaluation of field data to identify quality issues and feedback for process improvement.

• X-Bar Chart – Statistical tool used to monitor process mean values over time.
• XML Data Exchange – Standardized format for transferring process and quality data between systems.
• X-factor (Variation) – Uncontrolled process variable that may affect product quality.

• Yield Rate – Percentage of products meeting quality standards without rework.
• Yearly Audit Plan – Scheduled list of internal and supplier audits to ensure continuous compliance.
• Yellow Belt – Basic level certification in Six Sigma methodology, supporting process improvement activities.

• Zero Defect – Quality philosophy aiming for elimination of all process errors.
• Z-Score – Statistical value indicating deviation from a process mean, used in capability studies.
• Zone Control – Organization of work areas to maintain order, cleanliness, and efficiency (related to 5S).