Nonconformance
A nonconformance is a failure to meet a specified requirement, procedure, standard, acceptance criterion, or approved maintenance control.
What this term means in maintenance
A nonconformance is a failure to meet a specified requirement, procedure, standard, acceptance criterion, or approved maintenance control.
Examples of maintenance nonconformance
A nonconformance may include:
- Overdue required maintenance
- Missing calibration evidence
- Work performed without authorization
- Failed inspection criteria
- Incorrect spare part used
- Incomplete work-order record
- Procedure not followed
- Asset operating outside an approved limit
- Contractor qualification not verified
Practical example
A calibrated instrument is used after its due date without approved extension or risk assessment. The condition is recorded as a nonconformance and the effect on previous measurements is reviewed.
Immediate correction and corrective action
Correction fixes the identified issue, such as calibrating the instrument.
Corrective action addresses the underlying cause, such as weak due-date escalation or unclear ownership.
Required records
A controlled record may include:
- Requirement
- Evidence
- Risk
- Immediate action
- Cause
- Corrective action
- Owner
- Due date
- Effectiveness review
- Closure approval
Common mistake
Closing a nonconformance as soon as the immediate correction is complete can leave the underlying process failure unresolved.
Related concepts
Related maintenance terms
Keep exploring connected CMMS, reliability, and maintenance planning terms.
Corrective and Preventive Action
Corrective and Preventive Action, or CAPA, is a controlled process for correcting a problem, removing its causes, and preventing recurrence or similar future problems.
Maintenance Audit
A maintenance audit is a structured review of maintenance controls, records, execution, asset condition, and evidence to determine whether requirements are defined and consistently followed.
Audit Trail
An audit trail is a chronological record showing what information or status changed, when it changed, and which authorized user performed the action.
Glossary FAQs
- What is a maintenance nonconformance?
It is a failure to meet a maintenance requirement, procedure, standard, acceptance criterion, or approved control.
- Is overdue maintenance always a nonconformance?
It may be when the due requirement was not met and no approved, controlled deferral exists.
- What should a nonconformance record include?
Requirement, evidence, risk, correction, cause, corrective action, owner, due date, effectiveness, and closure.