The term "OK/NOK workflow" refers to a software-supported process in which inspections, checks, or process steps are evaluated using a defined result such as OK (acceptable or conforming) or NOK (not acceptable or nonconforming). Depending on the result, the software can automatically initiate predefined follow-up actions, such as approval, blocking, reinspection, corrective action, or escalation. Internationally, similar functionality is also commonly described as a pass/fail, conforming/nonconforming, or acceptance/rejection workflow.
Inspection Result Recording: Recording the outcome of an inspection or control and assigning an OK/NOK or pass/fail status.
Automated Decision Logic: Triggering predefined process steps according to the recorded inspection result.
Approval on an OK Result: Automatically releasing products, materials, process steps, or orders when defined requirements have been met.
Blocking on a NOK Result: Identifying and, where required, blocking nonconforming products, batches, materials, or processes.
Corrective and Follow-up Actions: Automatically creating or assigning tasks for correction, rework, investigation, or root-cause analysis.
Reinspection: Initiating another inspection after corrective work or rework has been completed.
Escalation Management: Notifying responsible users, supervisors, or departments when a NOK result meets predefined escalation criteria.
Documentation and History: Maintaining an auditable record of inspection results, decisions, processing steps, timestamps, and responsibilities.
Configurable Workflows: Defining different decision paths, responsibilities, and follow-up processes for individual inspection types, products, or business processes.
Analytics and Reporting: Evaluating OK/NOK rates, defect frequencies, causes, trends, and corrective actions.
During an incoming goods inspection, a delivery is rated as OK and automatically released for production or inventory use.
A component exceeds a specified tolerance during quality inspection and receives a NOK result. The system blocks the component and creates a reinspection task.
After a manufacturing operation, an operator confirms the result as OK, automatically allowing the next production step to begin.
An equipment inspection produces a NOK result. The system notifies the maintenance department and prevents further use until the equipment has been cleared.
Several NOK results occur during recurring quality checks. The software automatically initiates an escalation and root-cause investigation.