The implementation of new product designs in production depends on manufacturing schedules; therefore, the change process is not finalized until new part designs are fabricated and assembled. Windchill also provides the ability to address variances to product specifications using the variance processes. It is important that variances from design specifications are only temporary and must be followed by permanent solutions that bring produced parts back into compliance with design specifications.

There are two forms of variances. A deviation is a request for permission to depart from production specifications prior to producing the parts. A waiver is a request for acceptance of materials that have already been produced but do not conform to specifications.

For more information, see About Variances.