Introduction
CQI-11 training is a hands-on programme for teams that will apply AIAG’s Plating System Assessment manual at their own facility or audit it at their suppliers.
CQI-11 was developed to assess the quality systems of businesses performing electroplating in the automotive supply chain. Its scope covers zinc and zinc alloy electrolytic plating, decorative plating on metal or plastic substrates, hard chrome plating, electroless nickel and electropolishing processes.
The edition in force is the 3rd, published in October 2019, replacing the 2nd edition that had been in use since February 2012.
Table of Contents
Why is CQI-11 necessary?
CQI-11 is not an independent certification standard; it comes into play through customer-specific requirements (CSRs) under IATF 16949. For automotive suppliers running a plating process or purchasing plating services, it becomes a contractual obligation.
In practice there are two basic scenarios:
For organizations that plate: the assessment is expected to be conducted as a self-assessment at least once a year. These records are requested in customer audits.
For organizations that purchase plating services: the responsibility for verifying their suppliers’ CQI-11 conformity rests with the buyer. Your supplier audit programme needs competent personnel to conduct this assessment.
In both cases you must be able to demonstrate the competence of the person conducting the assessment — a training record is the most common evidence of that competence.
What changed with the 3rd edition?
The purpose of the 3rd edition was to update the document, improve its clarity and bring the process approach and risk management concepts of ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 into the assessment.
The notable changes:
A description and points to consider for every requirement. Uncertainty about how the requirements are to be interpreted was largely removed. In the 2nd edition, interpretations that varied from assessor to assessor produced inconsistent results.
Clearer temperature measurement requirements. While the process-based approach was retained, the acceptable methods for temperature measurement and recording practices were defined in more detail.
A simpler status classification. A clearer definition of nonconformity was introduced in place of the multiple assessment options of the 2nd edition. This makes reporting the results to the customer and tracking corrective actions easier.
The Form Builder option. The assessor was given the possibility of preparing a customized assessment document that better reflects the actual process of the system being assessed.
A clarifications section. A section dedicated to frequently misunderstood topics was added.
Who should attend CQI-11 training?
- Quality officers and process engineers at electroplating facilities
- Plating line supervisors and shift leaders
- Internal auditors who will conduct the self-assessment
- Supplier quality development (SQA/SQD) teams
- Supplier auditors of organizations purchasing plating services
- IATF 16949 internal auditors
- Laboratory and chemical analysis officers
A general level of knowledge about the plating process makes participation easier but is not mandatory.
Training Content
General framework
- The structure of the AIAG CQI series and the logic of special process assessments
- CQI-11’s relationship with IATF 16949 and customer-specific requirements
- The scope of the assessment and the plating processes it applies to
- Assessor competence expectations
- Self-assessment frequency and record obligations
Structure of the assessment
- The management responsibility and quality planning section
- Facility and equipment requirements
- The logic of the process tables and selecting the right table
- Technical requirements specific to the plating process
- Temperature measurement and recording requirements
- Test, measurement and laboratory requirements
Conducting the assessment
- Pre-assessment preparation and determining the scope
- Objective evidence collection techniques
- Classifying and justifying findings
- Preparing the assessment report
- Corrective action follow-up and closure
- Practices for reporting to the customer
Practical exercises
Participants select the right process table, evaluate evidence and write findings using sample scenarios. In in-house programmes the exercises are run on your own plating line and existing records; this format produces a directly usable self-assessment draft after the training.
Learning Outcomes
- Conducting the CQI-11 assessment independently
- Selecting the right process table and interpreting the requirement correctly
- Writing findings based on objective evidence
- Auditing the temperature measurement and recording requirements
- Preparing the self-assessment report in a format presentable to the customer
- Conducting CQI-11 audits at suppliers
Duration and Participation Options
Duration: 1–2 days in open-enrolment programmes. In in-house programmes, set according to the scope and depth of the practical work. If shop-floor work will be done on your own line, 2 days are recommended.
Participation type: Open enrolment or in-house.
Training method: In person (at your organization or in our training room), live online, on-demand recording.
Important note: Participants must have the current edition of the CQI-11 manual and the related assessment workbook. These documents are copyright-protected and are not provided as part of the training; they must be obtained through AIAG.
Dates: Set according to demand.
Certificate of Attendance
Participants who complete the training receive a certificate of attendance. The certificate includes the participant’s name, training scope, date and duration. It can be used as evidence of competence in your assessor competence records and in customer audits.
If your facility runs more than one special process, you can plan the related assessments together:
- CQI-12 — Coating System Assessment (wet/powder paint)
- CQI-9 — Heat Treat System Assessment
- CQI-15 — Welding System Assessment
- CQI-17 — Soldering System Assessment
For facilities applying heat treatment before or after plating, planning together with CQI-9 is common.
Beyond Training: Implementation Support
You can make use of our consulting services in every area where support is needed.
- Conducting and reporting the self-assessment together
- Gap analysis of your existing record and procedure structure
- Preparing the corrective action plan
- Independent CQI-11 audits at your suppliers
- Preparation work before the customer audit
Frequently Asked Questions About CQI-11 Training
Which processes does CQI-11 cover? It covers zinc and zinc alloy electrolytic plating, decorative plating on metal or plastic substrates, hard chrome plating, electroless nickel and electropolishing processes.
Which is the current edition of CQI-11? The 3rd edition is in force. It was published in October 2019 and replaced the 2nd edition that had been in use since February 2012.
How often must the CQI-11 assessment be carried out? The self-assessment is expected to be conducted at least once a year. Your customer-specific requirements may prescribe a more frequent interval; we recommend checking your contracts.
Can I obtain a CQI-11 certificate? No. CQI-11 is not a certification standard but a self-assessment manual. It comes into play through customer-specific requirements under IATF 16949. At the end of the training, participants receive a certificate of attendance.
What is the difference between CQI-11 and CQI-12? CQI-11 covers electrolytic and electroplating processes, while CQI-12 covers wet and powder paint coating processes. Facilities running both must carry out the two assessments separately.
Do I need to buy the manual for the training? Yes. The CQI-11 manual and the assessment workbook are copyright-protected publications and are not provided as part of the training. Participants need access to the current edition.
How long does CQI-11 training take? Open-enrolment programmes take 1-2 days. If shop-floor work will be done on your own plating line, 2 days are recommended.
I have no plating process knowledge — can I attend? Yes. General knowledge of the process makes participation easier but is not a prerequisite. It is also a suitable programme for purchasing and quality teams conducting supplier audits.