IATF 16949:2016 Clause 8.2.1.1 Customer communication

Customer communication is an important aspect of operational planning and control in IATF 16949. Effective communication with customers helps to ensure a clear understanding of their requirements, address any concerns or issues, and maintain a strong working relationship. Customer communications may take many forms including – customer representative industry recognized computerized interfaces and software for product (EDI; CAD); Customer provided software and interfaces for design and development, logistics, customer satisfaction feedback, etc; multi-disciplinary OEM/Supplier teams for product programs; etc. You must ensure that personnel at all levels have the competency and training to use these communications media and tools.

Here are key considerations for customer communication in IATF 16949:

Understanding Customer Requirements: Establish open channels of communication to understand and clarify customer requirements, expectations, and specifications. Actively listen to customer feedback and seek clarification when necessary to ensure a comprehensive understanding of their needs.
Proactive Communication: Initiate regular communication with customers to provide updates on project progress, address any concerns or issues, and share relevant information. Proactively communicate any changes in delivery schedules, product specifications, or other factors that may impact the customer.
Clear and Timely Communication: Ensure that all communication with customers is clear, concise, and timely. Use appropriate communication channels, such as email, phone calls, meetings, or customer portals, to effectively convey information and address customer inquiries.
Handling Customer Complaints: Establish a process to promptly address and resolve customer complaints. Listen attentively, empathize with their concerns, investigate the issues thoroughly, and provide appropriate solutions or corrective actions.
Managing Change Requests: Communicate and manage customer change requests effectively. Evaluate the impact of requested changes on project timelines, costs, and feasibility, and clearly communicate any necessary adjustments or potential risks.
Documented Communication: Maintain proper documentation of all customer communication, including meeting minutes, emails, or formal correspondence. This documentation serves as a reference and provides evidence of the organization’s commitment to effective customer communication.
Customer Satisfaction Surveys: Conduct customer satisfaction surveys to gather feedback and evaluate customer perception of the organization’s products, services, and communication effectiveness. Use the survey results to identify areas for improvement and take necessary actions to enhance customer satisfaction.
Supplier Collaboration: Foster collaboration and communication with suppliers and subcontractors to ensure a coordinated approach to meeting customer requirements. Establish clear communication channels and agreements to share relevant information, address concerns, and ensure timely responses to customer needs.
By emphasizing effective customer communication, organizations can enhance customer satisfaction, strengthen relationships, address concerns promptly, and demonstrate their commitment to meeting customer requirements in accordance with IATF 16949.

Clause 8.2.1.1 Customer communication

In addition to the requirement given in ISO 9001:2015 Clause 8.2.1 Costumer communication , clause 8.2.1.1 states that the language of the written or verbal communication has to be agreed with the customer. The organization shall have the ability to communicate necessary information, including data in a customer-specified computer language and format like computer- aided design data, electronic data interchange.

Please click here for ISO 9001:2015 Clause 8.2.1 Costumer communication

The language of written or verbal communication should be agreed upon with the customer for several important reasons:

1. Understanding: Language acts as a medium for conveying ideas, information, and emotions. It is essential to use a language that both the customer and the communicator understand well to ensure effective communication. By agreeing on a common language, the chances of misinterpretation or misunderstanding are reduced.
2. Clarity: Different languages have distinct nuances, grammar rules, and vocabulary. By agreeing on a specific language, the communicator can use terminology, expressions, and structures that are familiar to the customer, thus enhancing clarity in the communication process. This reduces the likelihood of confusion and improves comprehension.
3. Inclusion: Customers may have language preferences or requirements due to cultural, personal, or business reasons. By accommodating their language preferences, you demonstrate respect for their needs and create an inclusive environment. This can contribute to building stronger relationships and fostering positive interactions.
4. Efficiency: When communicating in a language that the customer understands well, the communication process becomes more efficient. It minimizes the need for translation, reduces the time spent clarifying meanings, and allows for smoother interactions. This can improve productivity and save valuable time for both parties involved.
5. Customer Satisfaction: Effective communication is crucial for customer satisfaction. By using a language agreed upon with the customer, you demonstrate a willingness to adapt and cater to their needs. This enhances their overall experience, increases their confidence in your ability to serve them, and can lead to a stronger customer relationship.

In summary, agreeing on the language of communication with the customer is important for understanding, clarity, inclusion, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. It promotes effective communication and contributes to building positive relationships.

The organization must have the ability to communicate necessary information, including data, in a customer-specified computer language and format for the following reasons:

1. Compatibility: Different customers may use different computer languages and formats to process and analyze data. By being able to communicate in their preferred language and format, the organization ensures compatibility between their systems and the customer’s systems. This facilitates seamless data exchange and integration, minimizing compatibility issues or data loss during the transfer.
2. Data Integrity: Transferring data in the customer’s specified language and format helps maintain the integrity of the information. Different computer languages and formats may have specific structures, data types, or encoding schemes. By adhering to the customer’s requirements, the organization can ensure that the data is accurately represented and preserved during the communication process.
3. Efficiency and Automation: When the organization can communicate in the customer’s preferred computer language and format, it enables more efficient data processing and automation. It eliminates the need for the customer to manually convert or reformat the received data, saving time and effort. This can lead to streamlined workflows, faster data analysis, and improved operational efficiency.
4. Customer Convenience: Providing information and data in the customer’s desired language and format demonstrates a customer-centric approach. It enhances convenience for the customer, as they can directly utilize the received data without additional conversion or adaptation. This can improve customer satisfaction and foster stronger relationships.
5. Competitiveness: In some cases, organizations that cannot accommodate customer-specified computer languages and formats may lose business opportunities. Customers may prefer working with suppliers or partners who can seamlessly communicate and exchange data in their preferred formats. By having the ability to meet customer requirements, the organization enhances its competitiveness and expands its potential customer base.

In conclusion, the ability to communicate necessary information, including data, in a customer-specified computer language and format is essential for compatibility, data integrity, efficiency, customer convenience, and competitiveness. It allows for smooth data exchange, simplifies workflows, and strengthens customer relationships.