What is the main purpose of a corrective action plan?

The main purpose of a corrective action plan is to outline steps for addressing nonconformance. When a process, product, or system fails to meet established standards or requirements, a corrective action plan is developed to identify the root causes of the problem and to provide a structured approach for correcting the issues. This plan typically includes specific actions that need to be taken, responsible parties, timelines, and measures of effectiveness to ensure that the problem does not recur.

By focusing on systematic resolution of the issues, the corrective action plan plays a crucial role in quality management and continuous improvement, ensuring that organizations can continually refine their processes and enhance overall performance. This is critical for maintaining compliance with quality standards and improving customer satisfaction. The other options do not align with the primary goal of establishing a corrective framework to resolve discrepancies or failures.