Corrective Actions and Preventive Actions.Corrective Action Preventive Action (CAPA) is a process which investigates and solves problems, identifies causes, takes corrective action and prevents recurrence of the root causes. The ultimate purpose of CAPA is to assure the problem can never be experienced again. Corrective vs. Preventive Action. Quality professionals frequently express confusion as to the difference between corrective and preventive action. A corrective action deals with a nonconformity that has occurred, and a preventive action addresses the potential for a nonconformity to occur.