When you implement the Quality Management application component and maintain inspection catalogs, you can also assign defect classes to the defect codes that are defined in the QM inspection catalog (catalog type 9, defects). The seriousness of the defect and its consequences determine the defect class to which the defect is assigned. The system supports the following internationally recognized defect classes:

• Critical defect
• Major defect A
• Major defect B
• Minor defect A
• Minor defect B

The system can use defect classes to automatically trigger an SAP Workflow task or activate a defect record as a quality notification during defects recording. The system executes these activities if you have taken the following steps:

• You have assigned defect classes to the defect codes.
• Your system administrator has activated the appropriate defect classes in Customizing for a Workflow link or for the automatic activation of a quality notification.

For example, if you confirm a defect during defects recording that has a defect class assigned to it, the system can: