Quality template

CAPA Form

A CAPA register with one row per corrective and preventive action: source, problem, containment, root cause, corrective and preventive actions, owner, due date, verification data and status.

What this template does#

The CAPA form is a register of corrective and preventive actions. Each row takes a problem from its source through containment, root cause, corrective action, preventive action, verification and closure. Keeping all CAPAs in one register makes it easy to review open items and spot repeats.

See CAPA for definitions and a filled example.

When to use it#

After failed inspections, customer complaints and audit findings.
For repeated defects above your trigger level.
For lab test failures on materials or garments.

How to complete it#

Open the CAPA with a number, date, source and problem description.
Record containment: sorting, holding stock, informing the buyer if required.
Record the root cause after analysis. Use the root cause analysis sheet or 5 Why worksheet.
Enter corrective and preventive actions with one owner and a due date.
Verify with data: inspection results, defect rates, test reports.
Close only when verification shows the action worked.

Reviewing the register#

Review open CAPAs weekly, sorted by due date.
Look for repeated problems and repeated root causes.
Share closed CAPAs with other lines and units as preventive learning.

Common mistakes#

Only containment recorded, and the CAPA closed.
"Retrain operator" as the only action.
No verification data.
Too many open CAPAs without priorities.

Download formats#

The Excel workbook contains drop-down lists for source and status. The CSV contains headings only.

Field guide

Field	What to enter
CAPA no and opened date	A reference number and the date the CAPA was raised.
Source	Inline, final inspection, buyer audit, customer complaint, internal audit or lab test, from a list.
Problem and containment	What happened, with evidence, and what was done immediately to protect the customer.
Root cause	The verified cause from root cause analysis.
Corrective and preventive action	Action to remove the cause here, and to prevent it elsewhere.
Owner, due date, verification and status	Who is responsible, by when, what data shows the action worked, and whether the CAPA is open or closed.

Related guides

Quality & DefectsGuide3 min read

CAPA in Garment Factories: Corrective and Preventive Action

CAPA is the process for recording a problem, removing its cause and preventing it elsewhere. What corrective and preventive actions mean, the steps of a CAPA, a filled example, and how to keep CAPAs from becoming paperwork.

Quality & DefectsHow-to3 min read

Root Cause Analysis for Garment Defects: A Practical Method

Repairing defects fixes garments; root cause analysis fixes the process. A step-by-step method for garment factories using defect data, the 5M categories, fishbone diagrams and 5 Why, with a worked example on open seams.

Quality & DefectsHow-to3 min read

5 Why Analysis: Examples from Garment Production

5 Why analysis asks 'why' repeatedly until it reaches a cause that can be fixed. How to use it well, where it goes wrong, and three worked examples from sewing, cutting and finishing.

Standards & ComplianceGuide3 min read

Buyer Compliance Audits in Garment Factories: Types and Preparation

Garment factories face social, environmental, security, quality and chemical audits from buyers and third parties. What each type looks at, common audit schemes, how to prepare, and how to handle findings with corrective action plans.