capa-officer

CAPA Officer

Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) management within Quality Management Systems, focusing on systematic root cause analysis, action implementation, and effectiveness verification.

Table of Contents

• CAPA Investigation Workflow
• Root Cause Analysis
• Corrective Action Planning
• Effectiveness Verification
• CAPA Metrics and Reporting
• Reference Documentation
• Tools

CAPA Investigation Workflow

Conduct systematic CAPA investigation from initiation through closure:

1. Document trigger event with objective evidence
2. Assess significance and determine CAPA necessity
3. Form investigation team with relevant expertise
4. Collect data and evidence systematically
5. Select and apply appropriate RCA methodology
6. Identify root cause(s) with supporting evidence
7. Develop corrective and preventive actions
8. Validation: Root cause explains all symptoms; if eliminated, problem would not recur

CAPA Necessity Determination

Investigation Team Composition

Evidence Collection Checklist

• Problem description with specific details (what, where, when, who, how much)
• Timeline of events leading to issue
• Relevant records and documentation
• Interview notes from involved personnel
• Photos or physical evidence (if applicable)
• Related complaints, NCs, or previous CAPAs
• Process parameters and specifications

Root Cause Analysis

Select and apply appropriate RCA methodology based on problem characteristics.

RCA Method Selection Decision Tree

Is the issue safety-critical or involves system reliability?
├── Yes → Use FAULT TREE ANALYSIS
└── No → Is human error the suspected primary cause?
    ├── Yes → Use HUMAN FACTORS ANALYSIS
    └── No → How many potential contributing factors?
        ├── 1-2 factors (linear causation) → Use 5 WHY ANALYSIS
        ├── 3-6 factors (complex, systemic) → Use FISHBONE DIAGRAM
        └── Unknown/proactive assessment → Use FMEA

5 Why Analysis

Use when: Single-cause issues with linear causation, process deviations with clear failure point.

Template:

Example - Calibration Overdue:

Fishbone Diagram Categories (6M)

See references/rca-methodologies.md for complete method details and templates.

Root Cause Validation

Before proceeding to action planning, validate root cause:

• Root cause can be verified with objective evidence
• If root cause is eliminated, problem would not recur
• Root cause is within organizational control
• Root cause explains all observed symptoms
• No other significant causes remain unaddressed

Corrective Action Planning

Develop effective actions addressing identified root causes:

1. Define immediate containment actions
2. Develop corrective actions targeting root cause
3. Identify preventive actions for similar processes
4. Assign responsibilities and resources
5. Establish timeline with milestones
6. Define success criteria and verification method
7. Document in CAPA action plan
8. Validation: Actions directly address root cause; success criteria are measurable

Action Types

Action Plan Components

Action Effectiveness Indicators

Effectiveness Verification

Verify corrective actions achieved intended results:

1. Allow adequate implementation period (minimum 30-90 days)
2. Collect post-implementation data
3. Compare to pre-implementation baseline
4. Evaluate against success criteria
5. Verify no recurrence during verification period
6. Document verification evidence
7. Determine CAPA effectiveness
8. Validation: All criteria met with objective evidence; no recurrence observed

Verification Timeline Guidelines

Verification Methods

Effectiveness Determination

See references/effectiveness-verification-guide.md for detailed procedures.

CAPA Metrics and Reporting

Monitor CAPA program performance through key indicators.

Key Performance Indicators

Aging Analysis Categories

Management Review Inputs

Monthly CAPA status report includes:

• Open CAPA count by severity and status
• Overdue CAPA list with owners
• Cycle time trends
• Effectiveness rate trends
• Source analysis (complaints, audits, NCs)
• Recommendations for improvement

Reference Documentation

Root Cause Analysis Methodologies

references/rca-methodologies.md contains:

• Method selection decision tree
• 5 Why analysis template and example
• Fishbone diagram categories and template
• Fault Tree Analysis for safety-critical issues
• Human Factors Analysis for people-related causes
• FMEA for proactive risk assessment
• Hybrid approach guidance

Effectiveness Verification Guide

references/effectiveness-verification-guide.md contains:

• Verification planning requirements
• Verification method selection
• Effectiveness criteria definition (SMART)
• Closure requirements by severity
• Ineffective CAPA process
• Documentation templates

Tools

CAPA Tracker

Calculates and reports:

• Summary metrics (open, closed, overdue, cycle time, effectiveness)
• Status distribution
• Severity and source analysis
• Aging report by time bucket
• Overdue CAPA list
• Actionable recommendations

Sample CAPA Input

Regulatory Requirements

ISO 13485:2016 Clause 8.5

FDA CAPA authority — ISO 13485 §8.5.2/8.5.3 under the QMSR (legacy QSR 820.100, historical)

⚠️ STATUS — QMSR transition (effective 2026-02-02): FDA's Quality Management System Regulation (QMSR) final rule (89 FR 7496) amended 21 CFR Part 820 to incorporate ISO 13485:2016 by reference and removed the legacy QSR subsection structure. The CAPA section number 820.100 no longer exists in the CFR — it is retained below only as a familiar index. The current FDA authority for CAPA is ISO 13485:2016 §8.5.2 (corrective action) and §8.5.3 (preventive action) (see clause table above), with complaint-handling additions in retained 21 CFR 820.35. Cite the ISO 13485 clauses — not 820.100 — in current compliance documentation.

CAPA elements required under ISO 13485 §8.5.2/§8.5.3 (legacy QSR 820.100, historical):

• Procedures for implementing corrective and preventive action
• Analyzing quality data sources (complaints, NCs, audits, service records)
• Investigating cause of nonconformities
• Identifying actions needed to correct and prevent recurrence
• Verifying actions are effective and do not adversely affect device
• Submitting relevant information for management review

Common FDA 483 Observations

Decision discipline: The tools in this skill structure investigations and track CAPA status — they do not certify CAPA closure or compliance. CAPA effectiveness conclusions and closure decisions are yours to make and must be reviewed and signed off by the named CAPA owner and Quality function; route regulatory-classification questions (e.g., reportability, 21 CFR 803 MDR, recall under 21 CFR 806) to Regulatory Affairs.