JWI 8730.4 - NASA

Johnson Space Center 

Work Instruction (JWI) 

JWI No.: 8730.4 

Effective Date: 08/12/2009 

Expiration Date: 08/12/2014 

Change 5 

Verify that this is the correct version before use 

Compliance is Mandatory 

Quality Assurance Record Center Discrepancy Reporting and 

Tracking 

Change 5, May 2012 

Responsible Office: Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate 

Original Signed By: 

_________________________________________ 

William S. McArthur, Director 

Safety and Mission Assurance 

Verify correct version before use at 

http://server-mpo.arc.nasa.gov/Services/CDMSDocs/Centers/JSC/Home.tml. 

JSC Form JF2420D (Rev. December 13, 2007) ( MS Word August 28, 2006)

Quality Assurance Record Center JWI No.: 8730.4, 

Discrepancy Reporting and Effective Date: 08/12/2009 

Tracking Expiration Date: 08/12/2014 

Page Number 2 of 32 

OPR Internal Concurrence Page 

Original signed by: 

_______________________________________________________ 

David I. Kaplan, Chief, Quality and Flight Equipment Division 

Original signed by: 

____________________________________________ 

David W. Dyer, Chief, Quality Engineering Branch 








CHANGE RECORD 

Rev. Date Originator/Phone Description 

Baseline 01/2009 Regina Senegal 

483-2686 

Baseline release. Formerly NT-CWI-003 

Revision C. 

Change 

1 

7/2010 David Dyer 

281-483-4334 

1.0 Modified purpose by removing 

applicability information to the applicability 

section; minor editorial changes to 8.3, 8.4, 

9.1.1 added that require ; 9.2.1 removed T4 

to align with NT-PQE-009; Reworded 9.2.2 

to remove 30 day time requirement and 

added better clarification; reworded 9.2.2.1. 

a to align with current process 

Changed section 9.2.3 from Nonconforming 

Inspection, Measuring and Test Equipment 

(IM&TE) to Measuring and Test Equipment 

(MTE) to align with JPR 1281.11 and 

changed MTE requirements to align with 

results from OOT Kaizen event (no DR’s for 

OOT MTE); 

Changed dissension resolution authority in 

section 9.2.2.1 from “appropriate level of 

management” to “the Quality Engineering 

Branch Chief”; added an exclusionary 

statement in section 9.2.2.2 for writing DR 

summaries when all of the work is done on 

the final disposition; and eliminated 

reference to the defunct Designated Verifier 

program. 








Change 

2 

Change 

3 

Change 

4 

1/2011 Regina Senegal 

281-483-2686 


281-483-2686 


281-483-2686 

Changes being made to address the 

certificate of Conformance (C of C) issue 

9.2.2 

Added clarification on dispositioning 

9.2.2.1 

Added the instructions for releasing parts 

from bonded storage 

9.2.2.2 

Added e to final disposition to address 

disposition type of missing C of C 

Appendix B 

definition m for MRB updated to include 

SME 

Appendix C 

updated signature Matrix 

S&MA Director signature updated 

9.2.2.3: 

To clarify deferred closures. 

Appendix C, 8 

To clarify multiple dispositions of nonconformances. 

Section 4.4, Removed reference to EM- 

006.32, IM&TE User Instructions for MSCL 

Calibration and replaced with JWI 1282.11 

Calibration and Control of Measuring and 

Test Equipment (MTE) 

Section 9.2.3.5, Removal of obsolete JSC 

Form 190 and replace with Measurement 

Out-of-Tolerance Notification and Reporting 

System (MONRS) 

Appendix B. Added MONRS 








Change 

5 

05/2012 David W. Dyer 

281-483-4334 

Section 9.2.3.1. Clarified that QAS shall be 

contacted to initiate the DR/MRR when 

calibrated MTE is discovered with an 

expired calibration date. 







TABLE OF CONTENTS 


CHANGE RECORD .................................................................................... 3 

TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................. 6 

1 PURPOSE ............................................................................................ 7 

2 APPLICABILITY ................................................................................... 7 

3 AUTHORITY ......................................................................................... 7 

4 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS ............................................................... 7 

5 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND WARNING NOTES ............................. 8 

6 TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND MATERIALS ........................................... 8 

7 PERSONNEL TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION ................................ 8 

8 RESPONSIBILITIES ............................................................................ 8 

9 PROCEDURE ..................................................................................... 12 

9.1 SUSPECTED NONCONFORMANCES .................................................... 12 

9.2 NONCONFORMING HARDWARE .......................................................... 13 

10 RECORDS .......................................................................................... 18 

APPENDIX A: HISTORICAL CHANGE LOG .......................................... 20 

APPENDIX B DEFINITIONS ................................................................... 22 

APPENDIX C GENERAL DOCUMENT INSTRUCTIONS ........................ 25 

APPENDIX D JSC FORM 2176C, MULTIPLE DISPOSITION CODING 

SHEET, DATA GUIDE .............................................................................. 28 

APPENDIX E PROCESSING INACTIVE ITEMS AND LOST HARDWARE 

DISCREPANCY REPORTS...................................................................... 29 

APPENDIX F SPECIAL INTERIM DISPOSITIONS ................................. 31 

APPENDIX G AUTHORIZED DEVIATIONS TO ...................................... 32 







1 PURPOSE 


This work instruction defines the Quality Assurance Record Center Discrepancy 

Reporting and Tracking process. It defines how nonconforming product is documented, 

identified (tagged), segregated (when practical), reviewed, dispositioned, and specifies 

the associated actions necessary to prevent the product’s unintended use or installation 

as specified in JPR 1281.13, Control of Nonconforming Product. 

2 APPLICABILITY 

2.a This JWI is applicable to all JSC NASA organizations developing, fabricating, 

manufacturing, assembling, testing, processing, and sustaining flight and flight-like 

equipment, ground support equipment, and the associated facilities. It is not applicable 

to Ellington Field, Sony Carter Training Facility, or the White Sands Test Facility. This 

JWI is applicable to contractors to the extent specified in their contract. 

2.b This instruction is applicable for controlling nonconforming product in all areas 

where the Quality and Flight Equipment Division (QFED) is responsible for providing 

inspection/verification/ surveillance support (i.e. flight equipment, flight-like equipment, 

flight software/firmware, ground support equipment, and facility equipment) and includes 

on-orbit anomalies. Corrective action will be tracked in the JSC GFE Problem 

Reporting and Corrective Action (PRACA) system or the Quality Performance 

Improvement Database (QPID). Agreements to deviate from this JWI must be 

documented and approved by the QFED Chief. 

3 AUTHORITY 

3.1 NPR 4200.1, NASA Equipment Management Manual 

3.2 JPR 1281.8, Product Identification, and Traceability 

3.3 JPR 1281.13, Control of Nonconforming Product 

4 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS 

4.1 NPR 4100.1, NASA Materials Inventory Management Manual 

4.2 JPR 1440.3, JSC Files and Records Management Procedures 

4.3 JPR 8080.5, JSC Design, and Procedural Standard Manual 

4.4 JWI 1282.11 Calibration and Control of Measuring and Test Equipment (MTE) 

4.5 JSC 28035, Program Requirements for JSC Government Furnished Equipment 

(GFE) Problem Reporting and Corrective Action (PRACA) 

4.6 JWI 8730.6, Task Performance Sheets 

4.7 NT-PQE-007, Establishment and Control of Mandatory Inspection Points (MIP’s) 

and Verification Inspection Points (VIP) 








4.8 NT-PQE-009, JSC Onsite Nonconformance Report (NCR) Trend Coding and 

Trend Analyses 

4.9 NT-QAS-048, Quality Assurance Specialists Responsibilities for Control of 

Program Stock 

4.10 NT-QAS-007, Application and Use of the JSC Form 911, JSC Form 911P, and 

the JSC Form 911R Tags 

4.11 NT-QAS-040, Subassembly Process Status Form (JSC Form 881) 

4.12 NT-QAS-047, Quality Status Stamps 

4.13 NT-QRC-001, Quality Assurance Records Center (QARC) Processing and 

Maintenance of Task Performance Sheets (JSC Form 1225) 


Maintenance of Discrepancy Reports/Material Review Records (JSC Form 2176) 


Maintenance of Interim Discrepancy Reports (JSC Form 2176) 

4.16 NT-QRC-011, Quality Assurance Records Center (QARC) Document 

Maintenance for Inactive Hardware/Equipment 

5 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND WARNING NOTES 

None 

6 TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND MATERIALS 

None 

7 PERSONNEL TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION 

Documented division authorization is required to sign DR/MRRs. The Quality and Flight 

Equipment Division maintains a copy of the authorized signature lists 

8 RESPONSIBILITIES 

8.1 Quality and Flight Equipment Division (QFED) Chief 

The QFED Chief is responsible for establishing and maintaining the Quality Assurance 

Record Center Discrepancy Reporting and Tracking process. 







8.2 Initiator 


The initiator of a DR/MRR or IDR is responsible for obtaining a DR/MRR (JSC Form 

2176), providing a detailed description of the nonconformance, and filling in the 

appropriate blocks as described in the data guide in the NASA JSC STIC Forms 

Catalogue Center on the web. Appendix C provides additional instruction. If the 

initiator is not a QAS and assistance is required, contact the resident QAS and after 

completing these blocks give the form to the resident QAS to submit to the Quality 

Assurance Record Center. 

8.3 Quality Assurance Specialists (QAS) 

The QAS is responsible for: 

a. Obtaining DR/MRRs and IDRs and officially opening; 

b. Tagging nonconforming hardware; 

c. Verifying that all work recorded on the DR/MRR has been accomplished. For 

work steps identified by a MIP this means witnessing or verifying the action is 

satisfactorily completed or verifying that a person qualified to witness or verify 

completion of the work (designated verification) has stamped off signifying the 

work was satisfactorily completed. For work steps not identified by a MIP, this 

means verifying that the technician has stamped or initialed off the work step as 

satisfactorily completed; 

d. Verifying property which has a change in classification is properly identified per 

JPR 1281.8, Product Identification and Traceability and historical records are 

updated; 

e. Reviewing DR/MRRs to identify and assign additional MIPs to specific 

operations, as deemed appropriate and stamp line item “Contact QAS for MIPs”; 

f. Documenting inspection processes (crimping, soldering, tool calibration tag 

numbers and continuity testing) on JF 881 per NT-QAS-040. 

g. Notifying the Quality Engineer (QE) and Responsible Engineer of the initiation of 

a DR/MRR. In the case of an initiator other than a QAS, the QAS will verify the 

notification of the QE and Responsible Engineer of the initiation of a DR/MRR; 

and 

h. Verifying that nonconforming products are not further processed, used, or 

transported until the nonconformance is dispositioned. 







8.4 Quality Engineer (QE) 

QEs have the responsibility for: 


a. Performing an independent assessment and approval of proposed dispositions; 

b. Ensuring the disposition of the nonconformance meets program, project, and/or 

mission requirements; 

c. Ensuring work steps are legible, unambiguous and have pass/fail criteria 

specified; 

d. Ensuring impacts to durability, reliability, and interchangeability are addressed; 

e. Participating as a voting member of the Material Review Board (MRB), including 

approval per Appendix C; 

f. Initiating Failure Investigation Action Reports (FIARs) per JSC 28035, when 

applicable; 

g. Assigning additional MIPs per NT-PQE-007; and 

h. Adding trend codes to the DR/MRR per NT-PQE-009. 

8.5 Quality Assurance Record Center (QARC) Clerk 

Record Center Clerks (RCCs) are responsible for: 

a. Issuing unique control numbers for IDRs and DR/MRRs; 

b. Tracking the status of open IDRs and DR/MRRs; 

c. Filing and maintaining hardcopy reports; and 

d. Updating and maintaining the QARC database. 

8.6 Responsible Engineer 

Engineers identified by the technical division’s authorized signature list, provided by the 

division chief or authorized signatory, have the responsibility for: 

a. Reviewing and evaluating each nonconformance, determining and documenting 

a disposition; 

b. Assessing each nonconformance to determine if corrective action to eliminate the 

cause of a nonconformance and preventing its recurrence is required; 

c. Processing a waiver for any repair or use-as-is disposition which violates a 

program or project requirement (i.e. requires program or project approval); 

d. Authorizing and directing investigations into suspected nonconformances and 

nonconformances observed during tests; 

e. Assigning MIPs to the IDR or DR/MRR instructions; 

f. Participating as a voting member of the MRB (when authorized in writing by the 

technical division they represent); 

g. Obtaining approval from other authorized voting members of the MRB, as 

necessary; 








h. Routing the DR/MRR through the cognizant QAS after each disposition for MIP 

review and scheduling purposes; and 

i. Initiating or notifying QAS of the need to initiate DR/MRRs or IDRs when 

nonconformance is observed and noted. 

8.7 Production Branch Chief 

Production Branch Chiefs responsible for manufacture or production may approve a 

disposition of rework or scrap for a nonconforming product, as the Responsible 

Engineer. This authority is limited to nonconformances that occur during the 

manufacturing process. 

8.8 Stress Engineer 

The authorized representative of the Structural Engineering Division participates as a 

voting member of the MRB. The Stress representative is responsible for verifying that 

the recommended disposition of the nonconformance is appropriate and does not 

adversely affect the structural integrity of the item for its intended use. 

8.9 Materials Engineer 

The authorized representative of the Structural Engineering Division participates as a 

voting member of the MRB. The Materials and Process representative is responsible 

for verifying that the disposition of the nonconformance is appropriate for the intended 

use of the materials and processes involved. 

8.10 Technician (Tech) 

Technicians are responsible for: 

a. Performing work as directed by the DR/MRR; 

b. Performing a self-verification of all work performed; and 

c. Initiating or notifying QAS of the need to initiate DR/MRRs or IDRs when 

nonconformance is observed and noted. 







9 PROCEDURE 

9.1 Suspected Nonconformances 


9.1.1 When a suspected nonconformance is noted during test or on-orbit operations, 

that require ground troubleshooting, an Interim Discrepancy Report (IDR) shall be 

initiated using JF 2176. The number of the Work-Authorizing Document (WAD) being 

used when the suspected nonconformance was noted or the Mission Evaluation Room 

(MER) problem number or Item for Investigation number will be annotated in the 

Reference Document field. A description of the anomaly/nonconformance observed will 

be written, including a description of the requirement suspected of being violated and 

when it occurred. The IDR initiator will obtain an IDR number from the IDR log or the 

appropriate QARC, sign, date, and enter his/her organization and location in the 

applicable blocks on the form and deliver a legible copy (flash copy) to the Record 

Center prior to the end of the shift. 

9.1.2 The initiator shall submit the original to the responsible Engineer for review and a 

disposition recommendation. The initiator will also record the IDR number and reject 

stamp on the WAD to the right of the step where the suspected nonconformance 

occurred. (Reference NT-QAS-047). If the IDR is documenting a suspected on-orbit 

nonconformance the initiator will provide the IDR number to the GFE QE Lead who will 

relay the information to the S&MA MER console representative for tracking. 

9.1.3 If the nonconformance occurs during a test, it must be determined whether or not 

the test may proceed without effect on safety, validity of test results, or damage to 

equipment. If true, the words “NO CONSTRAINT TO TESTING” shall be written on the 

IDR and testing may proceed. 

9.1.4 The responsible Engineer shall record explicit, unambiguous, and legible 

troubleshooting instructions on JF 2176A to investigate the suspected condition. If a 

valid nonconformance is identified, the QAS will draw a single line through the IDR 

number and contact the applicable QARC to request a DR/MRR control number. The 

QAS will provide a copy of the DR/MRR to the QARC for processing per NT-QRC-002 

and annotate the IDR log with the DR/MRR control number, date, and acceptance 

stamp on the appropriate log line. The responsible engineer will retain the original for 

further action. The cognizant QE will be notified of the nonconformance. 

9.1.5 If the suspected nonconformance is not validated (does not exist), the IDR shall 

be closed as unclassified (no DR number assigned). A written statement must be 

provided on JF 2176A as to why the condition is considered unclassified. Examples 

are: 

Written in error – the procedure and test results indicate the test worked properly 

Operator error – the operator made an error in conducting the test that did not 

permanently affect the test results; 








Procedure error – A procedural error was made that caused no injury or damage 

to the equipment/hardware under test or facility (Reference the document that 

modifies the procedure); or 

Explained condition – The problem is a known condition and was previously 

documented. (Reference the open IDR or DR that previously documented the 

condition. The system representative must record the reoccurrence on the 

referenced document.) 

9.1.6 At the conclusion of the test the responsible engineer shall attach all IDRs closed 

as “unclassified” to the test WAD and return to the appropriate QARC for processing per 

NT-QRC-003. In addition, at the conclusion of the test, all unused IDR numbers must 

be returned to the QARC. 

9.2 Nonconforming hardware 

9.2.1 Initiation 

9.2.1.1 Nonconforming hardware shall be documented on JF 2176, DR/MRR in 

accordance with the instructions in Appendix C and the JSC Form 2176 on-line Data 

Guide located in the NASA JSC STIC Forms Catalogue Center. In addition, trend 

codes T1, T2, T3, T9, and T10, identified in NT-PQE-009, must be identified at initiation. 

The initiator will contact the applicable QARC for a DR/MRR control number and enter 

this into the appropriate block on the form. The initiator will provide the QARC with a 

legible copy (flash copy) for processing per NT-QRC-002. In the absence of QARC 

during off hours, shift work, or during weekends, the QE/QAS will be responsible for the 

issuance of document control numbers per NT-QRC-002. The original DR/MRR will be 

forwarded/delivered to the responsible engineer for evaluation and disposition 

recommendation. 

9.2.1.2 If hardware is received from offsite with an open nonconformance report (not JF 

2176) the QAS shall initiate a nonconformance report in the QARC system and transfer 

the information onto a JF 2176 including a reference to the foreign document number. 

The foreign document will be attached to the JF 2176. If the nonconformance was 

documented on a JF 2176, but a JSC control number had not been assigned, the QAS 

will obtain a number from the QARC and process the form as if it had originated at JSC. 

9.2.1.3 A JF 911R, Discrepant Project Parts Tag, shall be processed in accordance 

with NT-QAS-007 and attached to the nonconforming item. The nonconforming item 

will be segregated to the extent possible to prevent inadvertent use or processing. The 

cognizant QE will be notified of the nonconformance. The QE will determine if the 

nonconformance meets the criteria for reporting into the JSC GFE Problem Reporting 

and Corrective Action system per JSC 28035. If it does, the QE will initiate JF 2174, 

Failure Investigation Action Report (FIAR). The QE will provide the FIAR number, 

obtained from the JSC PRACA Center to the applicable QARC for data entry on that 

DR/MRR. 







9.2.2 Dispositions 


An initial disposition must be provided to the QARC prior to usage or storage of 

nonconforming equipment. Dispositions must be legible, unambiguous and, when 

appropriate, identify pass/fail criteria. Warning, Cautions, and Notes must be clearly 

identified when actions may result in personal injury, equipment damage, or other 

information needs to be communicated/reminded to the person performing the work 

(refer to Appendix E for more detailed information). Calibrated equipment used shall be 

identified and expiration dates documented. 

9.2.2.1 Interim Dispositions 

a. Interim dispositions record all the steps necessary for troubleshooting or testing 

and shall be recorded using JSC Form 2176A. Each interim must be opened by the 

QAS prior to implementation. If necessary, indicate the need for second party 

(independent) verification by writing “MIP” in the inspection points column before the 

specified operation or sequence. Record initials above the acronym MIP. The 

responsible Engineer and the QE will sign and date below each interim disposition. If 

the interim disposition requires MRB approval, the MRB representatives will sign and 

date below the disposition. Dissension will be elevated to the Quality Engineering 

Branch Chief for resolution. 

b. In certain instances, there arises a need to troubleshoot a discrepancy where any 

succeeding step is so driven by the results/findings of the previous step that it is not 

possible to delineate more than one troubleshooting step at a time in the Interim. In that 

case, a “Special Interim” disposition can be initiated that captures/represents the 

running list of the actions taken, each of which are added, in a continuing sequence, to 

bring the troubleshooting to a conclusion or logical termination point. Appendix F is an 

example of such a Special Interim, showing mandatory text/content. QAS and 

Responsible Engineer responsibilities are as noted in Sections 8.3 and 8.7 respectively; 

with the added responsibility of ensuring troubleshooting work steps are legible, 

unambiguous and have pass/fail criteria specified. 

c. Prior to the commencement of activities, an informal “Readiness Review” shall be 

conducted among the principals involved to discuss the activity and actions to be taken. 

This is to ensure no hazards are created, to prevent damage to equipment, and to 

prevent actions that may obscure the root cause of the discrepancy. 

Whenever hazardous testing is involved, a test safety officer shall be notified. 

d. Prior to the release from Bond or Controlled Storage of any Class I or Class II 

material or product that is intended to be used to resolve the nonconforming condition 

(i.e. used in the manufacture, fabrication, or assembly of an end-item that has a 

functional criticality of 1 or 2), it shall be confirmed that a documented source inspection 

(e.g. RITF report) or a Certificate of Conformance is available. This is not applicable for 

Intra-Vehicular Activity, criticality 3 material or products. If not available, a Discrepancy 








Report/Material Review Record shall be initiated and dispositioned by Material Review 

Board in accordance with this work instruction. 

9.2.2.2 Final Dispositions (Closure) 

a. At the conclusion of troubleshooting and testing, a summary and final disposition 

shall be documented. A summary is not required for simple dispositions such as scrap, 

downgrade, or return to vendor/supplier. The Responsible Engineer and QE will sign 

and date below the final disposition, unless MRB is required. When MRB approval is 

required, the MRB representatives will sign and date in the MRB blocks on JF 2176. 

MRB approval of the disposition is required for repair, use-as-is, or when the 

classification is changed so that the item may be used for flight, hazardous training or 

test as shown in the matrix in Appendix C. Final dispositions are Rework, Scrap, 

Repair, Return to Vendor/Supplier, Use-as-is, or Change Classification 

b. Reworked or repaired hardware shall be inspected or tested to verify satisfactory 

completion of the disposition. Secondary (independent) witness or verification must be 

specified on the DR/MRR in the inspection points column as noted above. If there are 

no MIPs, the QAS will verify all work steps have been completed (stamped or initialed 

by the person performing the work). If the item passes (conforms), the DR/MRR may 

be closed as specified below. If the item fails, the QAS will apply a reject stamp on the 

line where the failure occurred and return the DR/MRR to the responsible engineer to 

review and evaluate. 

c. Items dispositioned for scrap shall be conspicuously and permanently marked, or 

positively controlled, until physically rendered unusable. Instructions necessary for 

destroying or excessing the item will be documented as part of the record. It should be 

noted that this is a non-recoverable action for controlled hardware. Consideration 

should be given to other applications or uses. The DR/MRR will be closed as specified 

below. 

d. Items dispositioned as Return to Vendor/Supplier shall have a copy of the open 

DR/MRR sent with the hardware to the vendor. The QAS will verify that the shipper 

(e.g. JF 290) also notes that the item is discrepant per NT-QAS-048. The DR/MRR will 

then be closed as specified below. 

e. Use-as-is dispositions must state the rationale or “technical justification” for 

declaring the nonconforming item as acceptable. Using the statement “Form, fit, and 

function unaffected” is not technical justification. Acceptable technical justification 

provides the reasons why form, fit, or function is unimpaired. A Change Control Board 

(CCB) or International Space Station (ISS) waiver may be required. In such instances, 

record the waiver number on the DR/MRR and attach a copy of the approved waiver. If 

the waiver is not needed, obtain the appropriate MRB signatures per the matrix in 

Appendix E. The DR/MRR shall then be closed as specified below. 








1. For issues involving a lack of a Certificate of Conformance and the SME determines 

it is acceptable to use the item in its intended application, a Use-as–is disposition is 

appropriate. In relation to this nonconformance, intended usage can be restrictive or 

unrestrictive. Restrictive meaning limited usage as identified in the nonconformance 

disposition. Unrestrictive meaning the application is not limited in any way. 

f. When the disposition is to downgrade to Class III, the QAS will perform this 

activity per NT-QAS-001 and release the hardware per NT-QAS-007. It should be 

noted that Class III equipment is not suitable for test and historical records will no longer 

be maintained on that item. When the disposition is to re-classify the hardware such 

that it is acceptable for flight (Class I) or acceptable for test or training in a hazardous 

environment (Class II), then MRB approval per the matrix in Appendix C is required. If 

the item is presently designated Class III, consideration must be given to conducting 

acceptance testing, reviewing the materials contained in the equipment, inspection and 

verification of the configuration of the item, and revisions/updating of the historical 

record/supporting documentation. These actions shall be documented on the DR/MRR. 

g. Upon satisfactory completion of the DR/MRR, the QAS will remove the 911R tag 

and release the item per NT-QAS-007. The QAS will stamp and date the “Final 

Acceptance” on the DR/MRR and return the original to the QE for coding. The QE will 

forward the completed document to the QARC where the historical record will be 

updated and the document filed per NT-QRC-002 and JPR 1440.3. 

9.2.2.3 Deferred Closure 

a. When a Discrepancy Report (DR) cannot be closed due to a lack of resources 

and/or schedule then it is acceptable to process a Deferred Closure with the 

concurrence of the authorized signatory for that directorate. Directorates utilizing this 

process need to provide a list of personnel having approval authority for deferred DR(s) 

to the Quality Assurance Record Center (QARC). The affected Engineering division or 

office chief will be the final authority for deferring discrepancies, should there be a 

situation where the project or facility and quality engineering cannot agree. 

b. The Responsible Engineer will enter an interim disposition of “Deferred Closure” 

on the JF 2176A, obtain approvals per the authorized signature list and submit the 

approved form to the QARC. The QARC will maintain an open “flag” on the part 

number that will identify the item as an “open item” each time an Open Items Report is 

Run. The DR/MRR will be removed from deferred status when a subsequent interim or 

final disposition stating, “Remove from Deferred Status” is entered on the DR/MRR, 

signed by any authorized signatory, and processed. Once the deferral is removed, the 

DR/MRR is treated as any other open DR/MRR. 







9.2.3 Measuring and Test Equipment (MTE) 


9.2.3.1 A QAS shall be contacted to initiate a DR/MRR when calibrated MTE is 

discovered with an expired calibration date. Record the calibration M# in the serial 

number field unless the calibrated item itself is flight equipment then record its serial 

number. 

Note: The intent of this requirement is to preclude the unintentional usage of MTE with 

expired calibration in situations involving the fabrication, manufacture, inspection, 

operation, or test of spaceflight equipment, flight-like equipment, or ground support 

equipment. There is no expectation that MTE being returned for calibration as part of 

the typical recall process would be written up as nonconforming. For long duration tests 

where calibrated MTE expires before the conclusion of the test, there is also no 

expectation for the initiation of a DR. However, should the MTE subsequently be 

determined to be Out-of-Tolerance, an assessment would need to be conducted to 

ascertain the impacts, if any, to the test 

9.2.3.2 Nonconforming MTE shall not be returned to service and the DR/MRR closed 

until it has been recalibrated. 

9.2.3.3 Should the result of expired calibration affect associated inspection, 

measurement, assembly, or test of spaceflight equipment, spaceflight-like equipment, or 

GSE another DR/MRR shall be written against the affected equipment. 

9.2.3.4 MTE identified by the MSCL (or associated calibration laboratories) as out-oftolerance 

will not require a DR/MRR to be initiated against the MTE. However, a 

DR/MRR shall be initiated against the associated spaceflight equipment, spaceflight-like 

equipment, or GSE if the MTE out-of-tolerance assessment reveals a condition that 

adversely affected previous inspection, measurement, test or assembly. 

9.2.3.5 A non conformance report that records the out-of-tolerance assessment shall 

have the following information from the Measurement Out-of-Tolerance Notification and 

Reporting System (MONRS) recorded on the nonconformance report: 

1. The asset number (e.g. M#) in reference document field 

2. The “Calibration Date” that the MONRS was issued that records the out-oftolerance 

assessment will be listed in the description of the nonconformance 

report. 







10 RECORDS 


Record Maintained By Retention 

Quality Records Center (if 

part of the WAD) 

JSC Form 881, 

Subassembly Process 

Sheet 

JSC Form 1225, Task 

Performance Sheet 

JSC Form 2174, Failure 

Investigation Action Report 

JSC Form 2176, 

Discrepancy 

Report/Material Review 

Record- Initiation Sheet 

8/103: 

temporary. Destroy/delete 

between 5 and 30 years 

after program/project 

termination. See Note 4 

below. Note 4. Retention 

period for records relating 

to environmental protection, 

OSHA or other regulatory 

requirements should be 

lengthened as required by 

applicable state. 

Quality Records Center 8/103: 












PRACA Center 




termination. See Note 4. 

Note 4. Retention period 

for records relating to 

environmental protection, 
















JSC Form 2176A, 

Discrepancy 


Record - Continuation 

Sheet 

JSC Form 2176C, 

Discrepancy 


Record - Multiple 

Disposition Coding Sheet 








































APPENDIX A: HISTORICAL CHANGE LOG 

Revision Date Originator/Phone Description 

Baseline 10/29/1997 David W. Dyer Baseline Release 

483-4334 

Rebaselined 

as 

NT1-CWI- 

003 

04/0819/98 MLC Administrative Change: 

Work Instruction baselined as a new 

document with the following changes as a 

result of SR&QA Reorganization 3/2/98: 

• Number changed from ND-CWI-003, 

Baseline to NT1-CWI-003, Baseline. 

• New signature obtained 

• Text changed to reflect new SR&QA 

organization structure and 

A 

06/04/1999 Charles R. (Chuck) 

Bailey 

244-5093 

responsibilities. 

Rewrite for clarification and to correctly 

describe processes which include: 

• Editorial changes throughout the 

document 

• Addition, rewrite or deletion of 

subsections to section 10. 

• Addition of Appendix J to incorporate 

NT1-ADM-010 processes. 

• Addition of Appendix K to incorporate 

Deviations and Waivers permitted by 

this procedure. 

PCN-1 8/12/1999 NT MLC Editorial Change: 

Added the correct version of JSC Form 

2176 Appendix B. (NOTE: This form is 

available through JSC Forms Repository.) 

Number 

Change – 

new 

baseline. 

Reinstate 

CWI 

number: 

NT1-CWI- 

05/17/2000 Charles R. (Chuck) 

Bailey 

244-5093 

Baseline Release 

• WI type and number change: 

• FROM: NTI-CWI-003, PCN-1 

• TO: NT1-ADM-013 

• Update CWI to match updated DR/MRR 

form 

• Delete Appendix B 

07/18/2000 NT MLC Reinstatement of CWI: 

• Rescinded cancellation of previous CWI 

category for this work instruction per 

direction from NT/JSC ISO 9000 Focal 








Revision Date Originator/Phone Description 

003, 

Point. 

Revision A, 

PCN-001, 

dated 

8/12/99 

• The original number has been 

reinstated. 

PCN-2 

08/04/2000 NT MLC per author 

request 

Editorial Change: 

• Removed JSC Form 2176 and 

instructions. These are available from 

the Forms Repository. 

PCN-3 02/05/2001 NT MLC Editorial Change: 

• Corrected document number and date 

in header. 

• Corrected change record page 

description entries, date, and added 

PCN editorial changes. 

• Corrected Appendices numbering. 

• Division level removed from document 

number. 

Changed author to David W. Dyer. 

B 

03/09/2001 David W. Dyer 

483-4334 

• Complete re-write of document. 

• Removed division level from document 

number (from NT1-CWI-003 to NT-CWI- 

003). 

PCN-1 03/22/2002 NT MLC Changed SLP 4.16 to JPG 1440.3 

C 

11/21/2006 David W. Dyer 

483-433 

Section 3, 9.9, 9.10, and 10.2.2.2 

• Added AS9100 requirements in 

response to QPID 1799 

Editorial changes: 

• Changed Flight Equipment Division to 

Quality and Flight Equipment Division. 

• Changed name of Manuacturing, 

Materials and Process Technology 

Division and Structures and Mechanics 

Division to Structural Engineering 

Division 

• Change NPG and JPG to NPR and JPR 








APPENDIX B DEFINITIONS 

a. Corrective Action: The action taken to eliminate the root cause of the 

nonconformance, defect, or other undesirable situation to prevent recurrence. 

b. Discrepancy Report/Material Review Record (DR/MRR): Record of an actual 

nonconformance. 

c. Disposition, Deferred Closure: Documents an instance where there is 

insufficient resources or schedule to close a DR/MRR and the nonconformance 

will not affect the intended usage of the hardware but future action must be taken 

for other uses. This process is in section 9.2.2.3. 

d. Disposition, Final: Documents the action to be taken to resolve an existing 

nonconforming item. The action may take the form of a repair, rework, 

classification change, return to vendor/supplier, use-as-is, or scrap. 

e. Disposition, Inactive Hardware: Documents an instance where nonconforming 

hardware is not planned to be used for at least one year and there is no 

justification for using resources to close the DR/MRR at this time. This process 

is in Appendix C. 

f. Disposition, Interim: Documents an intermediate action of an investigatory or 

exploratory nature, such as retest, which is necessary to determine a final 

disposition. . 

g. Disposition, Lost Hardware: Documents a technique for recording 

nonconforming equipment which has been lost, to prevent its inadvertent usage if 

found. Appendix C contains this process. 

h. Ground Support Equipment (GSE): Non-flight equipment designed and 

certified with a physical and/or functional interface with flight hardware that is 

required for the handling, servicing, inspection, testing, maintenance, alignment, 

adjustment, checkout, repair or overhaul of Class I or Class II products. 

i. Hardware Classification: Flight and nonflight equipment (equipment not 

suitable for use in flight but which could be accidentally substituted for flight 

articles) shall be classified as follows: 

Class I equipment: Equipment acceptable for space flight use (controlled flight 

equipment). 

Class II equipment: Equipment acceptable for use in ground tests or training in 

a hazardous environment (controlled nonflight equipment). 

Class III equipment: Equipment acceptable for non-hazardous training or 

display purposes (nonflight equipment). 








Class IIIW equipment: Equipment acceptable for use in Water Immersion 

training in a hazardous environment (controlled nonflight equipment). 

j. Interim Discrepancy Report (IDR): Record of a suspected nonconformance 

that requires troubleshooting or an investigation to authenticate an actual 

nonconformance and/or to determine the nonconforming item. 

k. Initiator: The person who documents a nonconformance or a suspected 

nonconformance on JSC Form 2176. The initiator shall be a Quality Assurance 

Specialist (QAS), Quality Engineer, or the responsible Engineer. 

l. Mandatory Inspection Point (MIP): A specific point during a process whereby 

secondary verification (i.e., independent verification) is performed, by personnel 

authorized by the QFED, to a specific characteristic, operation, or test element 

requiring direct observation or verification before the product can be processed 

further. 100% MIP requires prior concurrence by Quality Engineering. 

m. Material Review Board (MRB): The responsible authority for approving 

recommended dispositions of nonconforming product when the recommended 

disposition is “Repair”, “Use-as-is”, upgrade equipment classification, or to 

downgrade equipment from Class I to Class II. The MRB is composed of a 

Quality Engineering representative officially designated by the QFED, a Materials 

and Processes representative officially designated by Structural Engineering 

Division, a Stress representative officially designated by the Structural 

Engineering Division and an engineer officially designated by the responsible 

technical division or office for the nonconforming item and any additional Subject 

Matter Experts (SME) identified by MRB. Note: See table in Appendix C for 

signature requirements. JSC organizations and contractors will provide the 

QFED a list of personnel with MRB signature authority. The Quality Assurance 

Branch (NT2) chief shall maintain the lists and make distribution to the Quality 

Assurance Record Centers (QARCs). (Note: this list may be maintained 

electronically by the originating organization and made available to personnel 

through the web.) 

n. MONRS: Measurement Out-of-Tolerance Notification and Reporting System 

o. Nonconformance: Nonfulfilment of a specified requirement. 

p. Nonconformance, critical: A nonconformance that judgment and experience 

indicate is likely to result in a hazardous or unsafe condition for individuals using, 

maintaining, or depending upon the article or materials; or is likely to prevent 

performance of a vital agency mission. 

q. Nonconformance, major: A nonconformance, other than critical, that is likely to 

result in failure, or to reduce the usability of the article or materials for their 

intended purpose. 








r. Nonconformance, minor: A nonconformance that is not likely to reduce the 

usability of the article or materials for their intended purpose, or is a departure 

from established standards having little bearing on the effective use or operation 

of the article or materials. Note: Nonconformances are considered minor only 

when they do not adversely affect safety or health, performance, durability, 

reliability, interchangeability, effective use or operation, and weight or 

appearance (where a factor) (i.e., does not affect form, fit, or function). 

s. Repair: Action taken on a nonconforming product so that it will fulfill the 

intended requirements although it may not conform to the originally specified 

requirements. 

t. Responsible Engineer: The engineer who has responsibility or ownership of a 

nonconforming product and has the authority to recommend its disposition. 

u. Rework: Action taken on a nonconforming product so that it will fulfill the 

originally specified requirements. 

v. Root cause: The underlying reason for or cause of, one or more 

nonconformances or deficiencies identified through investigations and studies 

which, when corrected, will prevent or reduce the recurrence of the realized or 

potential nonconformances. 

w. Scrap: Action taken to either destroy, or designate as excess, nonconforming 

product which is not usable for its intended purpose and which cannot be 

economically reworked, or cannot be repaired in an acceptable manner to the 

Government. These items shall be conspicuously and permanently marked, or 

positively controlled, until physically rendered unusable. 

x. Secondary verification: Independent verification of a product, by someone 

other than the one performing the task, to verify conformance to specified 

requirements. 

y. Self-verification: Verification of work performed by the performer of that work, 

according to specified requirements. 

z. Waiver: A written authorization to accept an item, which during manufacture, or 

after having been submitted for inspection or acceptance, is found to depart from 

specified requirements, but nevertheless is considered suitable for “Use-as is” or 

after “Repair” by an approved method. Note: For project requirements, the 

formal written authorization is usually in the form of a Configuration Control 

Board Directive (CCBD). For program requirements, the formal written 

authorization is usually in the form of a Program Requirements Control Board 

Directive (PRCBD). 

aa. 

Work Authorizing Document (WAD): Any approved document which 

authorizes work to be performed (Task Performance Sheet (TPS), Test 

Procedure (TP), Discrepancy Report/Material Review Record (DR/MRR), etc.) 








APPENDIX C GENERAL DOCUMENT INSTRUCTIONS 

1. To forestall work stoppages, authorizations, concurrence, and control number 

may be obtained by teleconference. The originator shall indicate, print or type, in 

the signature blocks the originator’s name, approver’s name and “per telecon”. 

The approver will sign the DR/MRR prior to closure. 

2. DR/MRRs shall be typed or reproducible ink will be used in printing entries. All 

blocks on this record must contain an entry or the word “none” or “N/A”. 

3. All corrections (additions or deletions) shall be clearly initialed or stamped and 

dated. Deletions will be indicated with a single line thru the information to be 

removed. No “white out” or correction tape allowed. 

4. Modifications to the DR/MRR will be documented with interim dispositions. 

5. The use of WARNINGS, CAUTIONS, and NOTES prior to specific steps shall be 

used to clearly notify personnel of information necessary to safely and effectively 

perform the operation. 

• WARNING - Used for any operation that could result in injury or death to 

personnel if not followed. 

• CAUTION - Used for any operation that could result in damage to equipment 

if not followed. 

• NOTE - Used to call attention to useful additional information that is not 

specific procedural instruction. 

6. Sketches, data sheets, computer-generated pages, and other documents shall 

be included and numbered as pages to the DR/MRR. 

7. Sufficient information regarding the description of the nonconformance must be 

recorded for effective, timely, evaluation and disposition. This means the 

observed condition verses the expected condition (i.e. specification) as well as 

where the condition occurred or was identified (e.g. during milling operations, 

acceptance thermal testing, acceptance vibration testing, EMI testing, NBL 

training.) 

8. Multiple Nonconformances. 

a. A single DR/MRR may be used to record multiple nonconformances of the same 

nature on a single article or material or multiple articles (same configuration, 

part number, and classification) or materials. Each nonconformance must be 

itemized in the description block (block #19 on the JF2176). See examples 

below: 

1) Example 1 (multiple like nonconformances on a single article) 

Nonconformance 1 Drawing calls for .250” +/- .010” hole diameter. Part 

measures .263” Nonconformance 2 Drawing calls for .06” +/- .010” radius. 

Part measures .02”. 

2) Example 2 (multiple articles multiple nonconformances of the same 

nature) Serial 1001 Drawing calls for .250” +/- .010” hole diameter. Part 

measures .263” Serial 1002 Drawing calls for .06” +/- .010” radius. Part 

measures .02”. 








3) When a different disposition is recommended for the nonconforming items: 

a) Responsible Engineer will check all blocks in the disposition block 

that are appropriate. 

b) Quality Engineering will use JSC Form 2176C to code 

nonconforming items when multiple dispositions are present (e.g. 

Items 1, 3 - 6 Scrap; Items 2 and 7Use-as-is; Item 8, Repair). 

b. A single DR/MRR is not acceptable for any single article or material with multiple 

nonconformances which are dissimilar, e.g. a failed weld and an incorrect part 

number. 

9. Final Signature Approvals 

Resp. 

Eng. Stress* Material* QE QAS** Safety 

Rework X X 

Scrap X X 

Return to supplier X X 

Pressure 

Systems 

Repair (CRITICAL/MAJOR) X Flt Hw/GSE Flt Hw/GSE X 

Repair (MINOR) X X 

Downgrade to Class III X X 

Downgrade to Class II X Flt Hw/GSE Flt Hw/GSE X CRITICAL 

Upgrade X Flt Hw/GSE Flt Hw/GSE X 

USE-AS-IS (MAJOR) X Flt Hw/GSE Flt Hw/GSE X 

USE-AS-IS (MINOR) 1 X X 

Interim Dispositions X X 

Deferred Closure X X 

Lost Hardware X X 

X - Signature approval required prior to start of work, in all cases. 

*Note: Stress/Material engineering approval not required for Flight: crew clothing, 

food products and containers, medical supplies and portable photo equipment 

** - QAS/DV acceptance stamp required in all cases. 

1 

Missing Certificate of Conformance (C of C) requires SME approval when appropriate, e.g. EEE 

Parts Engineer or Material Engineer the Subject Matter Experts (SME). 

Note: All blanks represent the Project Engineer's determination if necessary. 

Shaded area represents typical MRB approval - signatures will be on JSC Form 2176 








10. For legibility purposes all signatures will include the person’s name, either printed 

or typed. This included interim dispositions. 

11. Interim dispositions shall be identified as Interim Disposition #1, Interim 

Disposition #2, etc. Each interim disposition will be signed and dated by the 

Responsible Engineer and Quality Engineer below that entry. In the event there 

is a need for MRB to approve an interim disposition, the MRB representatives will 

sign below the interim disposition entry. Final signatures, other than MRB, will be 

below the final disposition on the continuation sheet. Final MRB signatures will 

be in the MRB signature blocks on JF 2176. 

12. Note: Minor nonconformances (see definition in section 3) do not require full 

MRB approval (only Responsible Engineer and QE). However, the Responsible 

Engineer may solicit the concurrences of the full MRB and is encouraged to do 

so if there is any doubt regarding the significance of the nonconformance and/or 

its disposition. 








APPENDIX D JSC FORM 2176C, MULTIPLE DISPOSITION CODING 

SHEET, DATA GUIDE 

The entering of data on JSC Form 2176C, DR/MRR Multiple Disposition Coding Sheet 

is performed by Quality Engineering. The DR/MRR shall be typed or reproducible ink 

used in printing entries. All corrections (additions or deletions) will be clearly initialed or 

stamped and dated. Deletions will be indicated with a single line through the 

information to be removed. No “white out” or correction tape allowed. 

This form is used whenever there are multiple dispositions recorded on the DR/MRR. 

For example, if 30 flight batteries are found with an expired shelf life and the disposition 

was to rework 10, downgrade 10 to class III, and scrap 10 this sheet would be used. In 

the T6 block on the JSC Form 2176, the QE will enter “Code sheet”. The QE will apply 

the proper codes to as many coding strips as necessary. 

The QE will identify the serial/lot numbers of the nonconforming articles or materials 

which applies to each coding strip in the blocks labeled ‘A’ through ‘F’. Some of the 

code fields will be redundant, but the information is needed for the records clerk to enter 

into the database. 

Codes are to be obtained from NT-PQE-009. 








APPENDIX E PROCESSING INACTIVE ITEMS AND LOST HARDWARE 

DISCREPANCY REPORTS 

Inactive Status 

Items should be placed on the inactive list if that specific item or any like item is not 

going to be used within the next year or manifested for a flight. Inactive items shall NOT 

be used or tested until re-activated and dispositioned. The responsible engineer will 

initiate a Type B TPS (JSC Form 1225) (Ref. JWI 8730.6) to put the nonconforming 

equipment on inactive status. The QARC will process the DR/MRR and TPS to 

inactivate the equipment per NT-QRC-001 and NT-QRC-011. 

Processing “Lost Hardware” Discrepancy Reports (DRs) 

The following procedure is established to assist in the closure of those DR’s that have 

been open for an extended period of time and the nonconforming hardware can no 

longer be located. Note: This procedure is not intended to circumvent the JSC process 

for reporting lost property. Property custodians must be notified whenever government 

property is lost per NPR 4200.1, NASA Equipment Management Manual or NPR 

4100.1, NASA Material Inventory Management Manual. 

The Quality Assurance Record Center (QARC) lead will establish a miscellaneous file 

designated as ‘X001’ in the QARC database. This file will serve as an active 

placeholder for identifying hardware that is considered permanently lost. 

Step 

Procedure 

1-2 The Responsible Engineer conducts a search for the nonconforming equipment. 

The cognizant Quality Engineer (QE) assists in the search. Areas to be 

contacted and searched/checked include: 

a. Bonded storage for the facility and the JSC Support Operation Division’s 

NASA Equipment Management System and NASA Supply Management 

System databases; 

b. The responsible organizations support contractor logistics and Quality 

Assurance (QA) databases; 

c. Controlled storage lockers located in the area; 

d. USA/FCE-EVA contractor logistics and QA databases; 

e. Manufacturing areas, assembly areas and QA Inspection Labs; and 

f. JSC QARC. 

3 The Responsible Engineer will write a disposition on the DR identifying the areas 

searched and stating “Hardware cannot be found and traceability has been lost. 

Downgrade the hardware classification of this item to Class III.” Add a work step 








Step 

Procedure 

to the DR to have the QARC update miscellaneous document X001 to document 

the lost hardware and provide the part name, part number, serial number or lot 

number, and quantity. The Responsible Engineer will sign the DR signifying that 

a thorough search was made to locate the lost hardware. 

4 The QE will sign the DR and apply the code ‘AGL’ to the remedial action code 

field signifying the new status of the item(s). In addition, the QE will obtain an 

open items report from the QARC. The QE will notify the Responsible Engineer 

should other open documents be discovered. All open documentation 

associated with this hardware item must be closed by writing the disposition to 

“Downgrade the hardware classification of this item to Class III per DR 

#_____________ (identify the original DR). 

5 The QARC record clerk will update the QARC database by adding the part 

number, serial number, lot number, and nomenclature (as applicable) to the 

X001 misc. file and stamp off on the DR when the work is completed. If there is 

an Acceptance Data Package for the item, it shall be updated to note the item is 

missing. 

6 The QAS will verify the DR has been completed and stamp off the final 

acceptance. 

9 The QARC record clerk will update the QARC database to reflect the new status 

of the DR and file the original document. 

Should this hardware be located at a later date, an open items search will flag the item, 

so a new DR can be initiated and the item properly dispositioned. A historical report 

shall be generated in order to evaluate previous processes to assess incomplete work 

due to the item being lost. 







APPENDIX F SPECIAL INTERIM DISPOSITIONS 

The following format shall be followed for Special Interim dispositions: 


Interim # ________ (Special Interim, per, Section 9.2.2.1) 

This Special Interim disposition covers the troubleshooting and checkout steps required 

to eventually disposition the noted discrepancy. Each troubleshooting/checkout step, 

after those initially noted below, must be added (legibly printed) on this interim form 

BEFORE the step is initiated. Each of these Special Interim-added steps, with NO 

exception, are Mandatory Inspection Points (MIPs) that must be witnessed by 

appropriate QAS. 

Responsible Engineer _________________________ 

Quality Engineer 

_________________________ 

1. Contact QAS for initial MIPs. 

2. Conduct troubleshooting "Readiness Review" 

[Continue here with the required sequence/steps for Special Interim initiation, including 

initial actual troubleshooting step(s)] 








APPENDIX G AUTHORIZED DEVIATIONS TO 

NOTE: Document number changed to JWI 8730.4 January, 2009. Any deviations 

occurring after January, 2009 will be written under JWI 8730.4. 

The following deviations have been approved and are maintained on the master list of 

the requesting organization. 

1. X-38 Project, NTCWI003-032498-001

JWI 8730.4 - NASA

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