D0 Step – Plan / Problem Awareness

What is the D0 Step in 8D?

The D0 – Plan / Problem Awareness step is the preparation stage of the 8D problem-solving process.

Before forming a team or analyzing root causes, we first need to understand what the problem is, where it occurred, and how severe it is.

Think of D0 as the preparation for the entire investigation.
If the foundation is weak, consider unclear data, missing complaint details, or wrong part identification, then every later step (D1–D8) will be of no use.

Therefore the Objective of D0 steps are to:

• Accept that a problem exists and requires structured investigation and 8D report.
• Collect all initial data: customer details, part number, quantity, occurrence date, complaint reference, etc.
• Define the scope and urgency of the issue.
• Assign an owner/responsible until the 8D team is formed.

How to update D0 Fields in 8D report Template (Explained)

Let’s review 8D template and each field exactly as it appears and understand what to record in D0 field – Problem Awareness.

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Customer / Plant / Location

Identify where the issue was observed/detected. This is important for traceability and communication.

Example

Customer Plant: XYZ Motors Ltd – Seat Assembly Line 1

This immediately tells the reader that the complaint originated from the customer line, not internal inspection.

Occurrence Date

Record when the defect was found or complaint received. This date links to production batch and lot traceability.

Example

Occurrence Date: 15 October 2025

Later, this will help you trace production records and operator shifts.

Supplier / Part Name / Drawing Reference / Product Model

These fields describe the part under investigation. Be precise, incorrect part names make communication confusing.

Example

Supplier: ABC Components Pvt Ltd
Part Name: Seat Frame Bracket (LH)
Drawing Reference: SF-BRK-LH-021-Rev B
Product Model: Compact SUV Seat System

Quantity Delivered / Produced & Quantity Claim / Rejected

This quantity shows how big the problem is.

Example

Quantity Produced: 2,000 pcs
Quantity Claimed: 40 pcs

This gives an initial defect rate = 2% (20,000 PPM). This data helps to decide whether full containment or targeted checks are needed.

PPM (Field)

PPM = Parts Per Million = (Rejected / Delivered) × 1,000,000. The excel template auto-calculates this.

Example

(40 / 2,000) × 1,000,000 = 20,000 PPM

A high PPM immediately shows high customer dissatisfaction.

Summary: Practical Example (Step-by-Step Filling of D0 Sheet)

Below is how the D0 section of your form would look for the welding defect case:

Linking D0 to Next Steps

Once D0 is filled and approved by the Quality Engineer, the next actions are to start your actual 8D analysis process.

Therefore, D0 acts as the “Go signal” for 8D problem-solving.