1. A non-conformance analysis system, comprising: at least one information storage tool that stores previously generated non-conformance information; a data mining tool that retrieves specific attributes of said previously generated non-conformance information stored in the at least one information storage tool; an associative memory subsystem that is populated with information involving a plurality of entity types, with each said entity type being associated with at least one entity, to form an associative memory; and a user input device that enables a user to input a non-conformance query into said associative memory subsystem that causes said associative memory subsystem to generate all of said entity types and entities that include information useful for investigating said non-conformance query.