Evidence before commitment

How we work

We separate observations, claims, evidence and open points. This lets you invest in the next review step only when the available evidence justifies it.

What do we actually know about this source?

Discovered is not qualified. A quotation, trade-fair meeting, video call, sample or factory visit does not automatically prove series capability.

Q0
DISCOVEREDPotential source
Has a potential source been identified?
Verified
Name and initial relevance to the specific product
Open
Identity, fit and execution capability open
Q1
IDENTITY SUFFICIENTLY VERIFIEDIdentity
Who are we actually dealing with?
Verified
Company, location and relationship sufficiently verified, e.g. through registry data and a supplier self-assessment
Open
Commercial and technical fit open
Q2
COMMERCIALLY QUALIFIEDCommercial fit
Do price, minimum order quantity, terms and framework fit?
Verified
Comparable commercial basis and visible exclusions
Open
Sample and production route open
Q3
SAMPLE VALIDATEDInitial sample
Does the product meet the requirement?
Verified
Initial samples of the specific revision checked against the requirements with dependable measurements, e.g. in an initial sample inspection report using suitable measuring methods
Open
Series process and repeatability open
Q4
FACTORY & PROCESS VALIDATEDFactory & process
Can this product be produced dependably there?
Verified
Product-specific production route with appropriate evidence – comparable to a process approval
Open
Real series execution open
Q5
PRODUCTION VALIDATEDReal production
Does it work under real production conditions?
Verified
Pilot run or first series production successfully validated – comparable to a production part approval
Open
Changes may trigger reassessment

Evidence increasesUncertainty decreases

MATURITY = PRODUCT + REVISION + SOURCEProduct X · Rev. B · Factory Y · Q4

NEXT DECISIONCONTINUE · STOP · ADJUST · CHECK AN ALTERNATIVE

The stages draw on established approval methods. These include the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), German production process and product approval (PPF) under Volume 2 of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), and VDA maturity-level assurance. We simplify this logic for procurement decisions.

Not a certification, seal or general supplier rating.

Illustrative example – not a client case

Good samples – and still no series approval

A zinc die-cast housing, revision B, at a supplier in Changzhou. According to the initial sample inspection report, all dimensions are in order. What does that mean for approval?

Q status in the example
Stage	What is verified	What is open
Q1 Identity	Registry data, location and contracting party match.	–
Q2 Commercial	Quotation on a comparable basis; tooling costs and minimum order quantity agreed.	–
Q3 Sample	Initial sample inspection report for revision B available; the other dimensions were checked with suitable gauges and are in order.	Not yet reached: the critical bore (±0.02 mm) was measured only with a calliper – no dependable evidence for this tolerance.
Q4 Factory & process	Machines and series tooling seen at the factory.	Open: process data exist only for 30 parts from a hand-made pilot lot; the coating is outsourced and not approved.
Q5 Production	–	Open: no production trial under series conditions.

Next evidence before your series approval

Re-measure the critical bore with a method suitable for ±0.02 mm, such as an internal gauge or coordinate measuring machine. Demonstrate measurement repeatability. Only then is Q3 reached.
Carry out a production trial under series conditions with the series tool and an agreed quantity.
Approve the coater and demonstrate batch traceability.
Record the valid revision status of drawing, tooling and inspection plan.

From observation to decision

Three illustrative examples – not client cases. They show how a single observation becomes a recommendation and a purchasing decision.

Technical Supplier Review

Observation: Final inspection measures the critical dimension only by sampling with a calliper; the drawing requires ±0.02 mm.
What it means: The gauge is unsuitable for this tolerance. The supplier's measurements are not dependable for this dimension.
WJY recommendation: Sample approval only after re-measurement using a suitable method, such as an internal gauge or coordinate measuring machine, and evidence of measurement repeatability.
Your decision: Tie the sample approval to the re-measurement.

Supplier Quick Check

Observation: The company name on the quotation differs from the registry entry; the bank account given belongs to a trading company.
What it means: Possibly a trader rather than a manufacturer; the payee is not the contracting party.
WJY recommendation: Before any deposit, clarify: who manufactures, who invoices, who receives the payment?
Your decision: Hold the deposit until contracting party and payee match or the difference is explained in writing.

Shipment Release Assessment and Recommendation

Observation: According to the supplier, rework on the lot is complete; the photos, however, show only 5 of 40 cartons.
What it means: The evidence does not confirm rework for most of the lot.
WJY recommendation: Hold the shipment until a sample from the remaining cartons has been inspected.
Your decision: Commission a re-inspection – or knowingly release the shipment at your own risk.

How our reports support decisions

Our reports show findings, implications, open risks and options. We use them to recommend the next step for your decision.

CLEAR STATUS

See what has been verified.

NO FALSE CONFIDENCE

A sample or factory visit does not automatically prove series capability.

STAGED INVESTMENT

Invest in deeper checks only when commercially justified.

BETTER DECISIONS

Continue, stop, adjust or check an alternative.

You retain control

The supplier file belongs to you

The supplier file records everything we verify about a source. It covers the contracting party, payment recipient, approved manufacturing site, contacts, product and revision, tooling, critical outsourced processes, commercial position, quality events, evidence, risks, decisions and open actions.

Every change has a date and source. Reports show the position at a cut-off date; monthly reports and overviews draw on the same file. You receive the file with all evidence as PDFs and editable spreadsheets. You keep it after the engagement ends.

Classify specialist evidence correctly

A Technical Supplier Review adds observations on site but does not automatically establish Q4. A Pre-Shipment Inspection checks goods but does not automatically establish Q5. Where accredited evidence is required, we coordinate the appropriate independent testing partner.

An assessment of your product group: Two working days to the result.

We assess your existing China procurement or a new China opportunity for up to three comparable items and recommend next steps.

Request the free 48h Check How the Check works