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Layered process audit (LPA) checklist

A layered process audit (LPA) is a short check at the station that the key steps and controls of a process are being followed, done by several layers of leadership, each on its own schedule. The team leader might audit every shift, the supervisor every week and the plant manager every month, all with the same short list. This checklist has 20 checks in four groups: work instructions and training, quality checks, process settings and material, and safety and workplace. Each is answered yes, no or N/A, with a box for a no that was fixed on the spot, a score by group, a table for the findings that need an owner and a note of who audits the area. In automotive supply LPAs are often a customer-specific requirement, and AIAG publishes a guideline for running them, CQI-8 Layered Process Audits. Page 3 adds a matrix of the four layers, how often each audits and what it adds, plus question banks of six checks each for stamping, welding, molding and assembly. A rotation rule keeps the bank questions moving, so the list does not turn into a ritual.

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Page 1 of the layered process audit checklistHeader fields for area, station, date, shift, auditor and time, a layer to circle from team leader to plant leadership, and the first 15 checks with yes, no or N/A to circle and a fixed on the spot box.
20 checks in 4 groupsYes / No / N/AFixed on the spot boxScore by groupFindings with owner and due dateLayer and frequency matrixQuestion banks: stamping, welding, molding, assemblyRotation ruleSign-off
Filled-in Layered process audit (LPA) checklist: a layer 1 audit at a hose crimping station
The same sheet filled in with the worked example (page 4 of the PDF, illustrative numbers). Open full size (opens the picture in a new tab)

When to use it

When to use a layered process audit checklist

  • On high-risk steps where a skipped check or a wrong setting reaches the customer, such as crimping, welding, torque or final inspection.
  • When a customer asks for layered process audits, which is common in automotive supply.
  • After a corrective action, to check at every layer that the new method is still being followed weeks later.
  • To get leaders onto the floor on a fixed routine, as part of their leader standard work.
  • Not in place of a full process audit or a 5S audit: an LPA is short on purpose and looks at a few things often.

How to fill it in

  1. 1

    Set the layers and the schedule

    Decide who audits at each layer and how often, and write it on page 2. The matrix on page 3 is a common starting point. Spread the audits across shifts so night shift is audited too.
  2. 2

    Make the checks fit the station

    Start from the 20 checks. Replace the ones that do not apply with the bank for your process on page 3 and with checks for the station's own risks, taken from the process FMEA, the control plan and recent defects. Keep error-proofing verification and any open containment on every audit.
  3. 3

    Audit at the station

    Fill in the header and circle your layer. Ask the operator to show you, look at the records, and answer each check yes, no or N/A from what you see.
  4. 4

    Fix what you can on the spot

    For every no, write what you saw. If it can be put right during the audit, such as a missing record or a gauge out of place, do it and tick fixed on the spot.
  5. 5

    Log the rest with an owner

    Anything not fixed goes in the findings table with an action, an owner and a due date. The Excel version counts them and marks overdue ones.
  6. 6

    Work out the score and pass it on

    Score is yes ÷ (yes + no) for each group and for the whole audit. Note anything the next layer should look at again.

Question banks by process

What an automotive LPA asks at stamping, welding, molding and assembly

Page 3 of the checklist has six bank questions for each of four processes. Keep error-proofing verification and any open containment on every audit, and swap bank questions in and out in a fixed order so the list does not turn into a ritual.

  • Stamping

    1. A1The die in the press matches the part number on the job and the die set-up sheet
    2. A2The first-off part was checked against the check fixture or checklist and signed before the run
    3. A3Shut height, tonnage monitor limits and feed length match the set-up sheet
    4. A4The misfeed and part-out sensors were tested at the start of the shift and the test was recorded
    5. A5The coil or blank lot on the line matches the traveler and can be traced to the parts made
    6. A6Parts made since the last stop or die hit are tagged and held until checked, never mixed with good parts
  • Welding

    1. B1The weld schedule on the controller matches the approved settings for this part
    2. B2Tip dressing, or the contact tip and nozzle change, was done at the set interval and recorded
    3. B3The destructive or chisel test was done at the control plan frequency, with results in limits
    4. B4Part presence and weld count sensors were challenged at the start of the shift and recorded
    5. B5Fixture clamps and locating pins are in place, tight and not worn
    6. B6Parts made since the last good test can be identified, so they can be held if the next test fails
  • Molding

    1. C1Press settings match the approved process sheet, inside the set windows
    2. C2Regrind percentage and dryer temperature and time match the process sheet
    3. C3The resin lot and colorant at the hopper match the traveler
    4. C4Start-up parts were checked and released before production parts were packed
    5. C5Short-shot detection (cavity pressure, vision or weigh scale) was checked this shift
    6. C6The mold and the cavities running match the job; any blocked cavity is approved and recorded
  • Assembly, crimp and torque

    1. D1The torque tool, its program and its calibration date match the work instruction
    2. D2The fastening sequence follows the instruction, and the controller rejects a missed or out-of-range fastener
    3. D3Crimp height and pull test were done at the set times, such as start of shift and reel change, and are in limits
    4. D4Error-proofing (pick-to-light, presence sensors, fixtures) was challenged with the master or reject parts and recorded
    5. D5Rejected and suspect parts are in the red bin, tagged, and the count matches the scrap log
    6. D6Any open containment (a sort, a 100% check, a hold) is tagged at the station, and the operator can explain it

The rotation rule

  1. Keep about half the questions as a core set on every audit: the highest-risk controls from the PFMEA and control plan, error-proofing verification and any open containment.
  2. Fill the rest from the bank for that process in a fixed order, so every bank question is asked at least once a month on each shift.
  3. When a question has been yes at every layer for about three months, move it to the bank and bring in a newer risk.
  4. After a complaint or a corrective action, add a question that checks the fix to every layer's list for the next few months.

To run the banks on a schedule for every layer, see layered process audit software for automotive plants.

Layers and frequency

Who audits, how often, and what each layer adds

A common way to set up the four layers, in the spirit of AIAG's CQI-8 guideline (named here, not quoted). Your customers' specific requirements set the minimum where they name a frequency, and risk sets the rest: a safety-critical weld cell may get a layer 2 audit every day.

  • 1

    Who
    Team leader or group leader
    How often
    Every shift
    Minutes
    5 to 10
    What this layer adds
    The core checks at their own stations, on their own shift.
  • 2

    Who
    Production supervisor
    How often
    Every week, each area at least once
    Minutes
    10 to 15
    What this layer adds
    Whether the layer 1 sheets are filled in honestly and their findings closed.
  • 3

    Who
    Area manager: production, quality, maintenance or engineering
    How often
    Every month, rotating across areas
    Minutes
    15 to 20
    What this layer adds
    Fresh eyes from outside the area; at least one audit in four on an off shift.
  • 4

    Who
    Plant manager or leadership team
    How often
    Every month
    Minutes
    15 to 20
    What this layer adds
    Whether the system works: every layer done, repeat findings taken to a root cause.

What's on the checklist

The 20 checks on the layered process audit checklist

Five checks in each of four groups. On the sheet each one is answered yes, no or N/A at the station, with a box for a no that was fixed on the spot and space for what you saw; replace the checks that do not fit with the station's own risks.

Work instructions and training

The job is done the way the instruction says

  1. 1The current work instruction is at the station and matches the part being run
  2. 2The operator follows the steps in the order the instruction shows
  3. 3The operator can explain the key quality points of the job
  4. 4The operator is trained and signed off for this job
  5. 5Gauges and tools at the station are the right ones, labeled and in calibration

Quality checks

The checks that catch defects are done and recorded

  1. 6The first-piece or start-up check was done and recorded this shift
  2. 7In-process checks are done at the frequency the control plan sets, and recorded
  3. 8Recorded results are within limits, or the reaction plan was followed
  4. 9Nonconforming and suspect parts are tagged and held in the marked area
  5. 10Mistake-proofing devices work, and were checked at the start of the shift

Process settings and material

The process runs as approved

  1. 11Machine settings match the setup sheet or process parameter card
  2. 12The last changeover was signed off before production restarted
  3. 13The right material or component lot is loaded and can be traced
  4. 14Maintenance and CILR checks for the machine are up to date
  5. 15Fixes from earlier audits at this station are still in place

Safety and workplace

The area is safe and organized

  1. 16Required PPE is worn
  2. 17Guards, interlocks and emergency stops are in place and work
  3. 18The area meets its 5S standard, with nothing that does not belong
  4. 19Material is at its marked location, between the minimum and maximum
  5. 20Open findings from the last audit at this station are closed or have an owner and a date

A filled-in example

Illustrative, not a benchmark

An example: a team leader's layer 1 audit at a hose crimping station on day shift.

The example audit, filled in

  • Work instructions and training5 of 5 yes

    1. 1Yes
    2. 2Yes
    3. 3Yes
    4. 4Yes
    5. 5Yes
  • Quality checks3 of 4 yes

    1. 6Yes
    2. 7No
    3. 8Yes
    4. 9N/A
    5. 10Yes
  • Process settings and material4 of 5 yes

    1. 11Yes
    2. 12Yes
    3. 13No
    4. 14Yes
    5. 15Yes
  • Safety and workplace4 of 5 yes

    1. 16Yes
    2. 17Yes
    3. 18Yes
    4. 19No
    5. 20Yes
  1. Check 7: noFixed on the spot: the record was written in during the audit
  2. Check 13: noRack held; lot checked and the traveler corrected. Owner: materials lead, due same shift
  3. Check 19: noExtra boxes back to stores; delivery quantity reviewed. Owner: line lead, due next day

A layer 1 audit at a hose crimping station: 20 checks in four groups. Work instructions and training 5 of 5 yes. Quality checks 3 of 4 yes, check 7 no and fixed on the spot, check 9 N/A. Process settings and material 4 of 5, check 13 no. Safety and workplace 4 of 5, check 19 no.

Each no is either fixed on the spot or logged with an owner and a date. The supervisor's layer 2 audit that week starts with checks 13 and 19.

Scoring the example audit

Score = yes ÷ (yes + no)

20 checks: 16 yes, 3 no, 1 N/A

  1. 16 ÷ (16 + 3) = 16 ÷ 19= 84%
Audit score84%

20 checks: 16 yes, 3 no and 1 not applicable. 16 divided by 19 is 84 percent.

N/A answers are left out of the score. The two open findings go in the table with an owner and a date.
  • Work instructions and training: all five checks yes.
  • Quality checks: check 7 no, the 10:00 crimp diameter check was not recorded. The operator had done it and wrote it in during the audit, so it was fixed on the spot.
  • Process settings and material: check 13 no, the hose lot on the rack did not match the lot on the traveler. The rack was held and the finding went in the table with an owner.
  • Safety and workplace: check 19 no, eight boxes of fittings stacked above the marked maximum.
  • Check 9, suspect parts held in the marked area, was N/A: there were none that shift.

16 yes, 3 no and 1 N/A, a score of 84%. Two findings go in the table with owners and dates, and the supervisor's layer 2 audit that week starts with checks 13 and 19.

Common mistakes

  • Auditing from the office

    An LPA done from the records alone misses what the operator is really doing. Go to the station every time.

  • Only the first layer shows up

    If managers skip their audits, the team hears that the checks do not matter. Track audits done against planned for every layer.

  • Writing no and walking away

    Every no needs what you saw and either a fix on the spot or an owner and a date. A score with no actions changes nothing.

  • Treating it as an audit of the operator

    A no usually means the process makes the right way hard: no gauge at hand, an unclear instruction, a record nobody reads. Fix the process.

  • Never changing the checks

    A check that has been yes at every layer for months tells you little. Swap it for a newer risk, but keep most of the list stable so the scores can be compared.

From this worksheet to a running system

LeanSuite runs this checklist for every layer on its own schedule and turns each finding into a tracked action.

  • Schedule the same LPA checklist for each layer, with reminders; missed audits show in red.
  • Auditors complete their checks on a phone or tablet, with photo evidence where required.
  • Each report shows its score and pass or fail; a live dashboard shows completion across the plant.
LeanSuite Daily Standard Work calendar for one month: pre-shift inspections and tier huddles scheduled every weekday, huddles in green, standard work in blue, overdue checks in red

Download the template

Free to use: print it, copy it and edit it for your team. Enter your name and work email once to download.

Run this template in LeanSuite

In LeanSuite you schedule the same LPA checklist for each layer. Auditors see checks on a calendar or Kanban board and complete them on a phone or tablet, with photo evidence where required. Missed audits show in red.

See it in a 45-minute demo

FAQ

Layered process audit (LPA) checklist: common questions

  1. A short, frequent check at the station that key process steps and controls are being followed, done by several layers of the organization on their own schedules. For example, team leaders audit every shift, supervisors weekly and managers monthly, all with the same short checklist.

  2. A regular audit is usually long, done by a quality auditor and months apart. An LPA takes a few minutes, is done by leaders from the team leader up, and happens often enough that a process that drifts is caught within days. Findings are fixed on the spot where possible.

  3. Few enough to answer at the station in a few minutes. This template has 20 in four groups. Many plants keep a core set and add a few checks for the station's own high-risk steps, taken from the process FMEA and past defects.

  4. Yes, slowly. Keep about half the list as a core set on every audit, the highest-risk controls, error-proofing verification and any open containment, and fill the rest from a bank in a fixed order so every bank question is asked at least monthly on each shift. When a check has been yes at every layer for about three months, move it to the bank and bring in a newer risk.

  5. CQI-8 Layered Process Audits is a guideline from AIAG, the North American automotive industry group, on how to set up and run an LPA program: the layers, the frequency, the questions and what to do with findings. The second edition came out in 2014. Many automotive customers point to it in their own requirements, so check what yours ask for.

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