Plant, facility & equipment planning (IATF only)
Plain-language summary
Plant layout and equipment plans must be developed cross-functionally using risk thinking and lean principles — optimise material flow and value-add, and re-evaluate whenever capacity or processes change.
What the clause is really asking
Facility planning is engineering, not estate management: multidisciplinary inputs, lean layout (flow, handling minimised, floor space used effectively), methods to evaluate feasibility for new product, and capacity planning revisited at every relevant change.
What auditors look for
Auditors ask how the last layout or equipment decision was made: who was involved, where is the risk/lean analysis, the capacity study? They look for re-evaluation evidence when volumes changed and whether feasibility assessments feed APQP.
Typical evidence
Layout studies; capacity analyses; cross-functional meeting records; feasibility evaluations for new work.
How to comply — recommendations
Keep every capacity model and layout decision documented even if informal — a dated spreadsheet with attendees noted is evidence. Re-run the capacity model at each customer volume change and keep versions.
Common nonconformities
No capacity analysis behind accepted new business; layout decisions made by one person with no risk input; capacity never re-checked after volume increases.
Related clauses
Builds on ISO 9001 7.1.3
Qlause provides interpretive guidance only and is not a substitute for the standard. Refer to your licensed copy of ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 for the authoritative text.