Manufacturing feasibility (IATF only)
Plain-language summary
Before accepting new or changed work, a multidisciplinary team must analyse whether you can actually make it — to spec, at rate, at capacity — and the analysis must be evidenced.
What the clause is really asking
Feasibility means proving to yourselves you can achieve the required performance and capacity before committing, for new business AND for changes to existing products or processes. Capacity planning evaluation is explicitly included.
What auditors look for
Auditors sample recent new business or engineering changes and ask for the feasibility study: who participated (multidisciplinary?), capacity numbers, risks raised, sign-off. Accepting business that later failed at rate, with no feasibility record, is a serious finding.
Typical evidence
Feasibility commitment forms; capacity studies; cross-functional sign-offs; risk notes from feasibility reviews.
How to comply — recommendations
Use a one-page feasibility checklist signed by production, quality, engineering and logistics before any quote on new/changed work. Keep the capacity calculation attached — that pairing answers the clause and saves you from bad business.
Common nonconformities
Quotes submitted with no feasibility evidence; capacity never calculated before commitment; feasibility done by sales alone.
Related clauses
Builds on ISO 9001 8.2.3; links IATF 7.1.3.1
In the book
Chapter 8 — Operation — Where the Product Is Won or Lost treats this clause family in full: what it is really asking, what auditors look for, the evidence that satisfies, how to make it work on a real floor, and where companies stumble. This IATF requirement is covered in the Automotive Edition, in the same six blocks as the ISO clause around it.
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