Implementing Quality Control Inspections in Tekmetric: A Step-by-Step Guide with Tips from the TUG Community

While browsing the Tekmetric User Group (TUG) on Facebook, we came across a post that sparked a lively conversation about implementing and tracking quality control (QC) inspections after each job.

This topic hit home for us at LeadFoot Automotive because it addresses a key challenge: ensuring every vehicle leaves the shop fully inspected and customer-ready. For shops aiming to streamline operations and maintain top-notch quality, setting up a reliable QC process is essential.

We knew this was a conversation worth sharing, so we’re breaking down the best insights from the TUG community to help your team incorporate an effective QC inspection into every Repair Order (RO).

1. Create a canned job for ‘Quality Control’ 

Set up a canned job for “QC Inspection” or a similar label. You can write it in as 0.0 but maybe give yourself 0.1 or 0.2 to track the appropriate amount of time it actually takes to do the inspection. This gives the QC inspection its own line in the RO and keeps it distinct from other labor jobs.

2. Prevent premature RO closure by assigning separate person: 

Sometimes having the job assigned to someone else make it easier to ensure the QC inspection gets done. If a technician is blowing through hours at top speed, it’s easy to accidentally check the work off the ticket without completing the job. This technique ensures they complete only the specific jobs assigned to them, not the entire ticket. This keeps the RO open for the QC inspection to follow.

• 🚀 Pro Tip: Designating a QC technician isn’t for every shop but assigning a default QC technician to the canned job makes this even easier. The canned job can be set up so it's added when creating an RO, so this process is automatically managed by default.

3. Keep the QC Inspection Visible on the Tech Board

Ensure your team understands that marking all labor lines as “complete” will remove the RO from the tech board. Instead, leave the QC inspection line open until someone has completed it. This is just another reason to allocate time to the job. Remember, if this is an important part of your process you should be marking it with time anyway so you can review the process and monitor success of your QC program.

Additional Considerations from the Community

1. Consider Adding Minimal Labor Time for QC: If your techs mark all labor lines as complete, the RO may still be viewable on the job board, but adding a small labor time to the QC job can keep it active on the tech board..

2. Use a “QC Needed” Tag: Some shops find it helpful to set up a tag (like “QC Needed”) that automatically updates after the technician completes their jobs. This tag signals that the vehicle is ready for inspection. Once the person running the inspection completes their job, change the status to “QC complete.” This update helps the office staff see that the vehicle is ready for the final steps.

3. Utilize a Priority or Shop Flow Board: Some users prefer using an external tool like an Excel priority board to track QC steps if they find the Tekmetric tech board limited for this purpose.

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In today’s LeadFoot Automotive post, we tackled a popular question from the Tekmetric User Group on Facebook about implementing a smooth, effective QC inspection process in automotive shops. By setting up a QC canned job, defining clear responsibilities for each technician, and using tags and status updates, shops can ensure every vehicle receives a final quality check before leaving the floor. Insights from the TUG community provided valuable strategies for keeping ROs visible, preventing premature closure, and boosting workflow clarity between techs and office staff.

If you found these tips helpful, don’t miss out on more ways to streamline your shop’s operations and get the most out of the latest tech. Subscribe to the LeadFoot Automotive newsletter and podcast, where we share tips, strategies, and discussions on using technology to help you earn more and stress less.