Posts Tagged ‘AS 9100’
AS 9100 Separating the “whats” from “how tos”
AS9100 defines additional areas within an aerospace business process management system that must be addressed when implementing an ISO 9001:2000-based quality system. Typically, these requirements are included within robust aerospace quality systems. The industry experts who wrote the standard and the representatives who approved it all agree that these additions are essential to ensure product, process and service safety and quality.
Although the standard outlines industry “whats” for a quality management system, the “how tos” were deliberately left out and remain the system designers’ responsibility. This reflects the AS9100 writing team’s belief that how-to information stifles continuous improvement.
All quality systems must be designed to meet the specific needs of the users. And although AS9100 identifies areas to address within the aerospace industry, system designers are encouraged to first establish a robust quality system that’s both effective and efficient. This system should be a holistic entity with practices spanning multiple functions and processes within the business.
When implementing a quality system compliant with AS9100 one must ensure that the additional requirements of their customers, regulatory agencies (such as the FAA and the JAA) and local, state and national laws are also referenced within the system’s documentation.
AS 9100 What Does it Really Do For The Aerospace Industry?
Aerospace manufacturers such as Boeing have developed their quality management systems over the past 40 years. These systems have evolved because of increased product complexity and a better understanding of the quality systems incorporation into their overall business. AS9100 defines areas within an aerospace quality management system that are typically addressed when implementing an ISO 9001:2008-quality system. These additional requirements are normally included within vigorous aerospace quality systems. As OEMs employ more of the lower levels of the supply chain in the intricacies of production–even to delivering entire aircraft or propulsion systems–the need to define aerospace quality requirements becomes more sensitive. Industry experts responsible for writing AS9100 are primarily OEMs, all of which have agreed that these additions were fundamental to ensure the safety and quality of products, processes and services.
AS9100 quality management systems are designed to meet the specific needs of their users. Although AS9100 addresses specific areas within the aerospace industry, businesses that adopt the standard are encouraged to first establish a strong quality system that’s both effective and efficient. The standards can then be adapted to the product or service that’s offered to the customer. In an ideal world, the systems should oversee the entire process, with the many processes working together within the business to meet the standards’ requirements. All of this helps the aerospace industry to maximize their efforts to achieve their safety and quality objectives.