Crucial to the development of AQP is the proper timing, tracking, and implementation of each product/process planning step. The proper timing for the execution of the quality disciplines is critical to the success of the AQP program. A documented critical path timing or schedule-timing plan is essential.

To introduce a product/process that is on-time, meets the customer's quality needs, and is within budget, critical path timing or schedule-timing must be used. When an organization properly manages the schedule-timing element of AQP, it can achieve significant improvements in development costs, manufacturing costs, and on-time launching of products, and lessen the need to "put out fires" while launching a new product/process. Furthermore, design changes in product/processes that result in tooling changes that drive costs up can be reduced and/or more prudently handled. The AQP team, based on their experience, knowledge, and intuition, can, with a disciplined timing program approach, evaluate their alternatives and proceed to make more effective, informed decisions.