What is meant by "corrective action" in quality management?

The term "corrective action" in quality management specifically refers to actions taken to eliminate the causes of detected nonconformities. This definition emphasizes the proactive approach to addressing problems so that they do not recur in the future. By identifying and addressing the root causes of defects or issues, organizations can improve their processes, enhance product quality, and ultimately increase customer satisfaction.

In quality management, corrective actions are integral to continuous improvement efforts. They might involve revising procedures, training staff, or implementing new controls that address the specific areas where nonconformities have been identified. This direct focus on root causes ensures that problems are resolved effectively and prevents similar issues from happening again, contributing to an organization's overall efficiency and reliability.

To clarify the other choices, while actions taken to prevent future compliance issues can relate to preventive actions, they do not specifically address root causes of identified problems. Maintaining existing processes is more about sustaining current operations rather than actively improving or correcting weaknesses. Lastly, corrective actions are generally designed to enhance efficiency and quality rather than increase costs, so the intention behind them is often to save resources in the long term.