0.2 QMS Document Types Overview

All QMS document types are accessed from the QMS tab via the QMS Documents or Courses tile . Documents are organized by type and can be further classified using Sub-Type tags configured in your List of Values.

Document Type	Purpose	Examples	Storage Location
Standards	Houses external regulatory or customer requirements that establish the foundation of your QMS. Standards can be cross-referenced within your Quality Manual and support direct linking from clause numbers to internal Procedures.	ISO 9001:2015, AS9100D, ISO 13485:2018, FDA 21 CFR Part 820, Customer Quality Manuals, Supplier Requirements, Code of Conduct	QMS Tab > Documents tile > Standards
Mfg. Standards	Technical reference documents that define specifications, requirements, and acceptance criteria for production operations. These documents establish standardized methods for manufacturing processes, material requirements, and quality characteristics.	ASTM B580, ASTM B841, Customer-specific packaging requirements, Plating specifications, Heat treating standards	QMS Tab > Documents tile > Mfg. Standards
Procedures	Stores internal documents that outline the operation of your QMS, such as SOPs, policies, and manuals. Procedures define high-level processes and demonstrate compliance with external standards.	Internal Audit Procedure, Supplier Qualification Procedure, Risk Management Procedure, Design and Development Procedure, Employee Development Procedure	QMS Tab > Documents tile > Procedures
Work Instructions	Provide detailed, step-by-step guidance on how to perform specific tasks within your QMS. Work Instructions focus on the "how" and may be cross-referenced within Procedures. Work Instructions can also be linked directly to Manufacturing and Receiving Plans when manufacturing-level guidance is required.	How to Calibrate a Multimeter, How to Perform Gage R&R, How to Enter a New Supplier, Assembly Steps for a Specific Part, Ultrasonic Wash Process, Anodizing Instructions	QMS Tab > Documents tile > Work Instructions
Forms	Controlled document templates that serve as the foundation for creating Records (the objective evidence of your quality activities). Think of a Form as a blank template that, when completed with actual data, becomes a permanent quality Record.	Weekly Maintenance Sheet, Machine Set-up Sheet, Surveys, Design Review Meeting Minutes, Validation Plans and Reports	QMS Tab > Documents tile > Forms
Courses	Delivers training content to personnel outside of standard document training. Courses are external documents only and support PDF, PowerPoint, and video formats. Restricted to users with the Manage Courses permission.	Lock Out Tag Out Training, New Hire Safety Orientation, Annual Ethics Training	QMS Tab > Courses tile

0.2.1 Key Differences to Note

Standards and Mfg. Standards are external documents; all others are internal.

Procedures explain "what" and "why"; Work Instructions explain "how."

Forms become Records once completed.

Work Instructions can serve both general QMS and manufacturing-level purposes. When linked to a Manufacturing or Receiving Plan, they function as process-level or part-specific instructions. Sub-Types can be used to distinguish these within the Work Instructions list.

The Documents tile is the single location for all QMS document types. Tags and Sub-Types are used to filter and organize documents within each type.

Courses are training content, not process documentation. They carry their own approval role, permission, and tile, separate from Standards, Procedures, and other document types. 

0.2.2 Where to Store Customer Documents:

0.2.2.1 Store in Standards when:

• The document defines quality system requirements (e.g., Customer Quality Manual, Supplier Requirements)
• It establishes policies or principles your QMS must comply with (e.g., Code of Conduct, Ethics Policies)
• It requires systemic compliance across your organization
• You need to demonstrate compliance through your Procedures

0.2.2.2 Store in Mfg. Standards when:

• The document provides manufacturing specifications or methods (e.g., customer-specific packaging requirements, marking requirements, plating specifications)
• It defines technical requirements for a manufacturing process
• It will be referenced in conjunction with Manufacturing or Receiving Plans
• Multiple parts or processes will reference the same specification

0.2.2.3 Store in Work Instructions when:

• The document provides step-by-step guidance on how to perform a task, whether in the quality system or on the shop floor
• It defines how to perform a manufacturing process that will be linked to Manufacturing or Receiving Plans
• It is part-specific and needs to be tied to a specific part number via plan linkage

0.2.2.4 Store in Spec Libraries when:

• The document contains dimensional data or specifications that need to be entered into plans
• It includes measurable requirements (e.g., SAE Port Specs with critical dimensions)
• Data from the document will be transcribed into inspection plans
• The document serves as a reference for data entry rather than a process to follow

0.2.3 Document Type Feature Matrix

This matrix shows which features are available for each document type:

Feature	Standards	Mfg. Standards	Procedures	Work Instructions	Forms	Courses
Built-in Rich-Text Editor	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Training Assignment	Yes	Optional (off by default)	Yes	Optional (off by default)	No	Yes
Quiz Creation	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
External Certificate	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Document Approvers	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Access Control	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Upload Native Document File	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Attachments	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Document History	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
PDF Export	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Link to Procedures	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Quality Matrix	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No
Impact Assessment	No	No	Yes	No	No	No
Record Creation	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Form Download	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Links to Mfg./Rec. Plans	No	No	No	Yes	No	No
Document Sub-Types	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes