> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.planeconnection.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# How to Create and Track CPAs
> Create corrective and preventive actions from investigations or standalone, assign owners, track progress, and verify effectiveness.
By following this guide, you will create corrective and preventive actions (CPAs), assign them to owners, track progress through the lifecycle, and verify their effectiveness.
**Who should read this:** Safety managers, admins, and CPA owners.
Safety managers create and verify CPAs; owners complete the
assigned actions.
**Prerequisites:** Safety manager or admin role. CPAs can be
created standalone or from an investigation.
## CPA Lifecycle Overview
| Status | Description |
| ------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Open | Approved, assigned to an owner, and given a due date. |
| In Progress | Work on the action is actively underway. |
| Implemented | Action completed; awaiting independent verification of effectiveness. |
| Verification | Effectiveness being verified by someone other than the owner. |
| Closed | Formally closed. Record is immutable. |
## Create a CPA from an Investigation
This is the most common path. Investigation findings produce
recommendations that become CPAs.
### Step 1: Open the investigation
Navigate to **Safety > Investigations** and open the investigation with approved recommendations.
### Step 2: Create the CPA
In the **Related CPAs** panel on the right sidebar, create a CPA. The investigation is automatically linked as the source.
### Step 3: Select the CPA type
The type defaults to **Corrective** when created from an investigation finding. If the action addresses a potential future deficiency rather than an existing one, change to **Preventive**.
### Step 4: Continue with form fields
Complete the remaining fields as described in the standalone CPA section below.
## Create a Standalone CPA
### Step 1: Open the new CPA form
In the Safety sidebar, navigate to **Corrective Actions** and create a new CPA. You can also use `Cmd+K` and select "New Corrective Action."
### Step 2: Select the CPA type
Choose **Corrective** or **Preventive**.
### Step 3: Set the priority
PlaneConnection suggests a due date based on priority. For priority definitions and suggested timelines, see [CPA Lifecycle](/en/reference/cpa-lifecycle).
### Step 4: Enter the title and description
Use an action-oriented title that clearly states what must be done. The description should include detailed instructions and measurable success criteria.
### Step 5: Assign an owner
Search for a workspace member by name. The owner is responsible for completing the action.
### Step 6: Set the due date
The suggested date based on priority is pre-filled. If you need a different date, override it while ensuring it remains realistic.
Overdue CPAs are flagged on the compliance dashboard and contribute to Safety Performance
Indicator (SPI) calculations. Critical-priority CPAs overdue by more than 48 hours are escalated
to the accountable executive.
### Step 7: Link source records (optional)
If not created from an investigation, you can link the CPA to an investigation, a risk assessment, or an active risk entry for traceability.
### Step 8: Define effectiveness criteria (optional)
Describe the measurable criteria the verifier will use to confirm the action was effective. Setting this upfront makes verification objective and repeatable.
### Step 9: Submit the CPA
Submit to create the CPA in **Open** status, ready for the owner to begin work.
## Track CPA Progress
### Update Status
As work progresses, the CPA owner updates the status:
1. Open the CPA from the **Corrective Actions** list.
2. Use the status controls to advance through the lifecycle.
3. Add **progress notes** documenting what was done and when.
4. Attach **evidence** (documents, photos, records)
demonstrating the implementation.
### Monitor Overdue Actions
Navigate to **Corrective Actions** and use the **Overdue** tab to
view all CPAs past their due date. The list shows how many days
each action is overdue and highlights by priority.
### View Your Assigned CPAs
Click the **Mine** tab on the Corrective Actions page to see only
CPAs assigned to you, filtered to active items.
### View CPAs Awaiting Verification
Click the **Verification** tab to see CPAs in Pending
Verification status that need an independent effectiveness review.
## Verify Effectiveness
Verification is the independent confirmation that the CPA was
effective -- required by 14 CFR 5.73 and 5.75. The verifier must
be a different person than the CPA owner.
1. **Open the CPA.** Navigate to **Corrective Actions >
Verification** and select the CPA to verify.
2. **Review the evidence.** Examine the attached documents,
photos, or records demonstrating that the action was
implemented.
3. **Assess effectiveness.** Evaluate whether the action
eliminated or adequately mitigated the identified risk using
the defined effectiveness criteria:
* Were all planned actions carried out as described?
* Is there measurable evidence that the deficiency is resolved?
* Has the residual risk been reduced to an acceptable level?
4. **Record your verification.** Document verification notes, the
date, and your assessment.
5. **Complete verification or return to In Progress.**
* If effective, move the CPA to **Verification** (confirmed effective).
* If ineffective, return it to **In Progress** with notes
explaining what additional work is required.
When a CPA fails verification, consider whether the original action plan was insufficient or
whether a new CPA is needed to address a different aspect of the problem.
## Close a CPA
Once in Verification status, a safety manager or admin moves the CPA to
**Closed**. Closed CPAs are read-only and retained per 14 CFR 5.97
\-- as long as the associated safety risk control remains relevant.
## Related
Complete reference for CPA statuses, fields, and verification process.
Investigations that generate CPA recommendations.
How CPA completion contributes to Part 5 compliance.
Risk assessments that drive CPA creation.