Difference between preventive and corrective action
The risk management process includes establishment of measures to prevent risks or reduce their impact or probability. We keep measures in a measure organizer where you can define, among other things, the type of the measure. There are two basic actions: corrective actions and preventive actions (CAPA).
What is a corrective action?
A corrective action responds directly to a problem, i.e. to a risk. It contains and addresses the specific problem, focuses on the root cause and implements appropriate activities to prevent the risk or problem from occurring again or recurring. Corrective action is reactive, occurring after the problem it responds to occurs and corrects it. A typical corrective action process includes:
- Identification of an existing problem
- Identifying the root cause/s
- Defining and implementing corrective measures and actions to solve the issue
- Implementing corrective actions - For preventing recurrence of the problem
What is preventive action?
Preventive action responds directly to risk analysis, i.e. the identified potential risk of a problem arising. It focuses on preventive activities so that the potential risk does not occur. A preventive measure is proactive, it arises before the problem it seeks to prevent occurs.
- Identifying a potential problem through risk analysis
- Identification of root causes
- Defining preventive measures and actions
- Implementing actions to prevent an occurrence