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Required Elements in a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Acronyms

Note: These elements are the minimum requirements for a QAPP, so they should be used during QAPP development.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Elements Requirements
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
Elements Requirements
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
Elements Requirements
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
Elements Requirements
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.

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