PPAP Software for Automotive Tier-1 & Tier-2 Suppliers
Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) software that builds the complete submission package — PSW, Control Plan, FMEA, MSA and all 18 AIAG elements — from data already in your SmartAPQP system.
Book a Demo → See PPAP Module at SmartAPQP →What is PPAP — Production Part Approval Process
PPAP is the AIAG-defined process by which automotive suppliers prove to their OEM customers that they can consistently manufacture parts to the agreed design intent and specification. A completed PPAP submission is required before Start of Production (SOP) on every new or changed part.
PPAP is organised into 5 submission levels — from a Part Submission Warrant (PSW) only at Level 1 to a full package of all 18 evidence elements at Levels 3–5. The correct level is specified by the OEM customer.
PPAP 5 Submission Levels
| Level | What the Customer Receives |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Part Submission Warrant (PSW) only — warrant retained at supplier |
| Level 2 | PSW + selected product samples + limited supporting data |
| Level 3 | PSW + full product samples + all supporting data (most common) |
| Level 4 | PSW + other requirements as defined by the customer |
| Level 5 | PSW + full supporting data reviewed at the supplier's facility |
The 18 AIAG PPAP Elements
A full PPAP package (Level 3+) must address all 18 elements defined in the AIAG PPAP 4th Edition manual:
- Design Records
- Engineering Change Documents
- Customer Engineering Approval
- Design FMEA
- Process Flow Diagrams
- Process FMEA
- Control Plan
- Measurement System Analysis (MSA)
- Dimensional Results
- Material / Performance Test Results
- Initial Process Studies (Cpk)
- Qualified Laboratory Documentation
- Appearance Approval Report
- Sample Production Parts
- Master Sample
- Checking Aids
- Customer-Specific Requirements
- Part Submission Warrant (PSW)
What SmartAPQP Does for PPAP
PSW Cover Sheet — Auto-generated
The Part Submission Warrant is generated from the Part Master — part number, revision, drawing number, customer, supplier code, and weight all pull from the system record. No re-keying.
All 18 Elements — Tracked by Status
Each element in the AIAG catalog has its own status (Not Started / In Progress / Complete / N/A). Reference pickers auto-link to the PFMEA, Control Plan, MSA study and DMS documents already in the system.
Level 1–5 Package — One Click
Select the submission level and SmartAPQP assembles the correct evidence set. PSW disposition status (Approved / Interim Approval / Rejected) is tracked with revision chain and auto-supersession.
PPAP Builds from Your APQP Program — No Re-entry
Because SmartAPQP is built on a single Part Master, every APQP deliverable — PFMEA, DFMEA, Control Plan, MSA studies, PFD — is already linked to the part before you open the PPAP screen. The submission package doesn't need to be assembled from separate spreadsheets. It's already there.
- PFMEA rows reference directly from the PPAP element 6 picker
- Control Plan links to PPAP element 7 — same document, live
- MSA studies resolve PPAP element 8 automatically
- DMS documents attach to relevant elements with audit trail
- Revision change via ECN auto-supersedes the previous PPAP package
The result: PPAP is not a fire-drill at the end of the program. It fills up as the APQP phases progress. By the time you reach Phase 5, the submission is 80% complete.