In the era of smart factories, digital twins, AI, and autonomous systems, quality cannot be an afterthought—it must be designed in from the start. APQP 4.0: Driving Quality in the Smart Factory Era is the definitive guide to transforming Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) for the Industry 4.0 age. This modern playbook takes readers beyond the traditional APQP framework to explore how digital tools, real-time data, and connected systems revolutionize quality planning and execution. With practical frameworks, case studies, and implementation strategies, it shows how to integrate APQP seamlessly with Lean, Six Sigma, Agile, IATF 16949, AS9145, and ISO 9001, creating a unified and future-ready quality ecosystem. Inside you’ll discover: The evolution of APQP from the automotive world to a cross-industry standard for smart manufacturing. - How digital twins, AI, and IoT transform product design, risk management, and validation. - The power of connected validation and autonomous feedback loops for defect prevention. - Case studies from automotive, aerospace, medical devices, electronics, and heavy equipment. - A step-by-step implementation roadmap with quick-start guidance for leaders. - How to measure ROI, strengthen culture, and prepare for Industry 5.0 , where human–machine collaboration and sustainability redefine quality. Whether you are a quality professional, manufacturing leader, or innovation strategist, this book equips you to build resilient, digital-first quality systems that drive speed, trust, and customer satisfaction in the smart factory era. Takeaway: APQP 4.0 is not just about compliance—it’s about creating a competitive edge by embedding quality into every process, every product, and every decision.