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Required Elements in a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)


Elements	Requirements
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
A1 Title and Approval Sheet	Title and approval sheet.
A2 Table of Contents	Document control format.
A3 Distribution List	Distribution list for the QAPP revisions and final guidance.
A4 Project/Task Organization	Identify individuals or organizations participating in the project and discuss their roles, responsibilities and organization.
A5 Problem Definition/ Background	1) State the specific problem to be solved or the decision to be made. 2) Identify the decision maker and the principal customer for the results.
A6 Project/Task Description	1) Hypothesis test, 2) expected measurements, 3) ARARs or other appropriate standards, 4) assessment tools (technical audits), 5) work schedule and required reports.
A7 Data Quality Objectives for Measurement Data	Decision(s), population parameter of interest, action level, summary statistics and acceptable limits on decision errors. Also, scope of the project (domain or geographical locale).
A8 Special Training Requirements/ Certification	Identify special training that personnel will need.
A9 Documentation and Record	Itemize the information and records that must be included in a data report package, including report format and requirements for storage, etc.
MEASUREMENT/DATA ACQUISITION
B1 Sampling Process Designs (Experimental Design)	Outline the experimental design, including sampling design and rationale, sampling frequencies, matrices, and measurement parameter of interest.
B2 Sampling Methods Requirements	Sample collection method and approach.
B3 Sample Handling and Custody Requirements	Describe the provisions for sample labeling, shipment, chain-of-custody forms, procedures for transferring and maintaining custody of samples.
B4 Analytical Methods Requirements	Identify analytical method(s) and equipment for the study, including method performance requirements.
B5 Quality Control Requirements	Describe routine (real-time) QC procedures that should be associated with each sampling and measurement technique. List required QC checks and corrective action procedures.
B6 Instrument/Equipment Testing Inspection and Maintenance Requirements	Discuss how inspection and acceptance testing, including the use of QC samples, must be performed to ensure their intended use as specified by the design.
B7 Instrument Calibration and Frequency	Identify tools, gauges and instruments, and other sampling or measurement devices that need calibration. Describe how the calibration should be done.
B8 Inspection/Acceptance Requirements for Supplies and Consumables	Define how and by whom the sampling supplies and other consumables will be accepted for use in the project.
B9 Data Acquisition Requirements (Non-direct Measurements)	Define the criteria for the use of non- measurement data such as data that come from databases or literature.
B10 Data Management	Outline the data management scheme including the path and storage of the data and the data record-keeping system. Identify all data handling equipment and procedures that will be used to process, compile, and analyze the data.
ASSESSMENT/OVERSIGHT
C1 Assessments and Response Actions	Describe the assessment activities needed for this project. These may include DQA, PE, TSA, MSR/ PR/RR
C2 Reports to Management	Identify the frequency, content and distribution of reports issued to keep management informed.
DATA VALIDATION AND USABILITY
D1 Data Review, Validation, and Verification Requirements	State the criteria used to accept or reject the data based on quality.
D2 Validation and Verification Methods	Describe the process to be used for validating and verifying data, including the chain-of-custody for data throughout the lifetime of the project.
D3 Reconciliation With Data Quality Objectives	Describe how results will be evaluated to determine if DQOs have been satisfied.

GLNPO added note: The above elements are the minimum requirements for a QAPP, and therefore, should be used during the QAPP development.