# PFMEA Special Characteristics Register Worksheet

> Source: https://netray.co/tools/pfmea-special-characteristics-worksheet
> Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems.
> Section: Free Tools

## Short answer

Track every special characteristic from drawing to PFMEA to control plan, with classification, source, control method and sample plan.

## Category

quality

## Industry

Automotive and Aerospace

## Audience

- Quality engineer
- APQP lead
- Supplier quality

## Tool

**Kind:** worksheet

**Mode:** editable

**Columns:**

#### Char ID

**Key:** id

**Type:** text

#### Characteristic

**Key:** desc

**Type:** text

#### Type

**Key:** type

**Type:** select

**Options:**

- Product
- Process

#### Classification

**Key:** class

**Type:** select

**Options:**

- Safety / critical
- Significant / key
- Customer-specified
- Internal CTQ

#### Source

**Key:** source

**Type:** select

**Options:**

- Drawing
- Customer CSR
- Regulation
- Internal FMEA

#### Operation

**Key:** op

**Type:** text

#### Control method

**Key:** control

**Type:** text

#### Latest Cpk

**Key:** cpk

**Type:** number

**Format:** decimal

#### Cpk target

**Key:** target

**Type:** number

**Format:** decimal

#### Gap to target

**Key:** gap

**Type:** number

**Expr:** cpk - target

**Format:** decimal

#### Meets target (1 yes)

**Key:** ok

**Type:** number

**Expr:** if(gte(cpk, target), 1, 0)

**Format:** integer

**Rows:**

**Id:** SC-01

**Desc:** Bore diameter 25.00 +0.02

**Type:** Product

**Class:** Safety / critical

**Source:** Drawing

**Op:** OP20

**Control:** In-process air gauge, SPC chart

**Cpk:** 1.72

**Target:** 1.67

**Id:** SC-02

**Desc:** Torque on cap screws 12 Nm

**Type:** Process

**Class:** Significant / key

**Source:** Customer CSR

**Op:** OP60

**Control:** Torque tool with error proofing

**Cpk:** 1.45

**Target:** 1.33

**Id:** SC-03

**Desc:** Surface roughness Ra 0.8

**Type:** Product

**Class:** Customer-specified

**Source:** Drawing

**Op:** OP25

**Control:** Profilometer every 50 pcs

**Cpk:** 1.21

**Target:** 1.33

**Id:** SC-04

**Desc:** Wash cleanliness

**Type:** Process

**Class:** Internal CTQ

**Source:** Internal FMEA

**Op:** OP40

**Control:** Gravimetric test per shift

**Cpk:** 1.5

**Target:** 1.33

**Totals:**

#### Characteristics meeting target

**Key:** ok

**Agg:** sum

**Format:** integer

**Summary:**

#### Share meeting target

**Key:** pct_ok

**Expr:** if(gt(count,0), 100 * sum_ok / count, 0)

**Format:** percent

**Notes:** Classification names and symbols vary by customer. Use the symbols and capability targets from your customer requirements. Cpk targets shown are examples, not requirements.

## Content

**Intro:** Special characteristics are the product and process features that drive safety, regulation or fit and function. This register keeps them in one list so the drawing, PFMEA and control plan always agree.

**Sections:**

#### How to use the register

**Body:** List each characteristic when it first appears on a drawing, in a customer requirement or in the FMEA. Classify it, name the operation that creates it and record the control. Add the latest Cpk and the target your customer or procedure requires; the sheet computes the gap and flags items below target. Export to Excel for audit packs.

**Bullets:**

- Give each characteristic a stable ID
- Link the ID in the PFMEA and control plan
- Update Cpk after every capability study
- Review the list at every drawing revision

#### Why linkage matters

**Body:** IATF 16949 and AS9100 both expect special or key characteristics to flow from design through process planning to controls. An auditor will pick a characteristic from the drawing and trace it to the PFMEA severity, the control plan reaction and the measurement system. A single register makes that trace quick.

#### Reading the capability columns

**Body:** A gap of zero or more means the latest Cpk meets the target. Negative gaps mean the process needs action, tighter control or a higher inspection frequency until capability is improved. Cpk is only meaningful with a stable process and a capable gauge, so confirm measurement system analysis before you trust the number.

#### Common mistakes

**Body:** Classifying everything as special dilutes attention and inflates inspection cost. Leaving a characteristic in the PFMEA but not the control plan is a classic audit finding. Copying symbols from one customer to another is risky since each customer defines its own classification system.

**Cta:** If your ERP inspection plans and your control plan disagree, Netray can help reconcile them. Ask for a short review.

**Faq:**

#### Are the classifications standard?

**Answer:** No. Customers and industries define their own symbols and names, and the AIAG-VDA handbook leaves classification to the organization and customer. Use the terms in your customer requirements and record them here.

#### What Cpk target should I use?

**Answer:** Use what your customer specifies. Many automotive customers ask for at least 1.33 for ongoing production and 1.67 for initial studies on special characteristics, but confirm in your own requirements.

#### Should process characteristics be listed too?

**Answer:** Yes, if they drive a product special characteristic, such as a torque setting or oven temperature. Mark the type as process and link it to the product characteristic it protects.

#### How is this different from the control plan?

**Answer:** The control plan lists every control by operation. This register is the master list of the special items and ensures each one appears in the control plan with the right method.

## Search terms

special characteristics register, special characteristics matrix excel, key characteristics list template, critical characteristics register, pfmea control plan linkage, ctq register template, iatf 16949 special characteristics, as9100 key characteristics

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