CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) is the process standard required by ISO 9001 and IATF 16949. 8D is a specific methodology used to execute it. This guide clarifies the relationship and when to use each.
8D
The "how". An eight-discipline, team-based method (D0–D8) preferred by automotive OEMs for customer complaints.
CAPA
The "what". Correct the nonconformity and prevent recurrence — the organizational requirement, process-agnostic.
In practice, most quality systems say "use CAPA" and the 8D report is the deliverable that satisfies it. A complete 8D (D0–D8) contains the corrective and preventive elements CAPA requires.
