Corrective action is often an effective means of identifying and correcting quality and compliance events within the organization that can arise through the result of complaints, audits, incidents, nonconformances, or any adverse events. Traditionally, the corrective action process is designed to handle systemic events—things that pose a major threat to the overall health of the quality management system (QMS) or environmental health and safety (EHS) system. The challenge becomes how to discern what constitutes a corrective action, and how to properly and efficiently handle it.

Although an important part of compliance, corrective action is often implemented and used inefficiently. Too many corrective actions, not enough data, or disjointed workflow can hinder a corrective action. The most important element to corrective action is ensuring that actions are taken quickly and effectively.

This article will discuss eight traits of successful corrective action. These capabilities will ensure that its effectiveness is not hampered, and that critical events are not lost in the midst of less significant events.

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