# Decide whether to scrap, rework, or use nonconforming parts

A Material Review Board recommendation on nonconforming material, weighing risk, cost, and customer approval, with the disposition written up for the record.

- Topic: Thinking & Decisions
- Framework: RTF
- Level: Advanced
- Tags: Legal, Analyze, Code, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/decide-whether-to-scrap-rework-or-use-nonconforming-parts

## Prompt

```text
Help me prepare a Material Review Board (MRB) disposition for nonconforming material.

**Part and quantity affected:** [part number, lot/batch numbers, quantity, where it is now (WIP, finished goods, at customer)]
**The nonconformance:** [characteristic, specification, actual measured values, how it was found]
**Function of the feature:** [what this characteristic does in the assembly or end use]
**Options being considered:** [use as is / rework to print / repair / return to supplier / regrade / scrap]
**Costs:** [scrap value, rework cost per unit, replacement lead time, customer delivery impact]
**Customer or regulatory constraints:** [e.g. "automotive customer requires deviation approval", "FDA-regulated device", "aerospace AS9100"]

Work through:
1. Risk of each option: effect on form, fit, function, safety, regulatory compliance, and appearance. Flag if the characteristic is special, critical, or safety-related.
2. Whether a rework can be verified (what re-inspection proves it is back to print).
3. Whether "use as is" or "repair" needs a customer deviation or concession before shipping, and what evidence the customer will want.
4. Total cost and delivery impact of each option.
5. The containment check: could the same problem be in other lots, other parts, or stock already shipped?

Return:
- A comparison table of the options (risk, cost, delivery impact, approvals needed).
- A recommended disposition with the reasoning.
- A one-paragraph disposition record for the NCR (nonconformance report).
- The corrective action question this NCR should feed into.

The disposition must be approved by the people with authority (quality, engineering, and the customer where required). Never recommend shipping safety-critical nonconforming product without customer approval. Mark unknowns [CONFIRM].
```

## What to fill in

- what this characteristic does in the assembly or end use
- CONFIRM

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