What is Document Control?
Document Control Definition
Document control can refer to a document management profession or a practice for managing product and quality related documentation. In some industries, like medical device manufacturing, there are regulatory compliance requirements specifying the practices for creating, managing, distributing, and disposing of documents. Product companies should identify the best practices to protect proprietary or sensitive documentation.
FAQs
Why is document control needed?
Document control is an essential element of an organization’s quality management system (QMS). It ensures that only approved and up-to-date documentation is used throughout an organization. Regulated companies are subject to document control requirements set forth by ISO 9001.
*Source: thecoresolution.com
When should a document be controlled?
A document should be controlled if it meets any of the following criteria:
- Guides the production of a product
- Guides the verification, inspection, or testing of a product
- Defines customer and/or product requirements
- Used for defining or controlling processes
- Used for decision making by production personnel
- Used for data collection
- Used for training personnel
- Addresses or relates to an ISO 9001 requirement
*Source: aqmauditing.com
Why is document control an essential department within manufacturing companies?
Document control is essential to manufacturing companies because it ensures efficiency, performance, reliability, traceability, and quality throughout the entire product lifecycle.
*Source: consepsys.com
What is document control requirements?
Document control requires the following:
- Review and approval of documents for adequacy prior to release
- Review/update/re-approval of documents on an as-needed basis
- Identification of changes and current document revision status
- Ensuring that relevant versions of applicable documents are available at points of use
- Ensuring that documents remain legible and readily identifiable
- Identification and controlled distribution of external documents
- Preventing obsolete documents from unintended use
- Policy or procedure for the identification, storage, protection, retrieval, retention, and disposal of documents
*Source: the9000store.com
4 Challenges
Document Management
Software Solves
High-tech electronics and medical device companies have reams of product and quality documents. Many times document files are saved in disparate locations and access to documentation is restricted.
When files are stored in different tools and multiple places, it makes it difficult for employees to get their jobs done.
Learn four ways document maangement software can help address the challenges of siloed documentation.