AS9100 Quality Standard Background

AS9100 is a quality standard specifically created for the aerospace industry. It was released in October of 1999 by prestigious industry organizations in response to criticisms of available options. It had broad support from both within and outside the industry. It was a tailored solution for an economic sector that was demanding, and facing demands for better quality management.

The standard is an extension of ISO 9000. It contains new quality and safety guidelines for aerospace businesses. Before its introduction, the ISO 9000 was the main standard used throughout the industry. It was broadly accepted that it fell short of needs. The extended industry specific version was released to correct the perceived shortcomings. It was widely accepted as meeting that goal and quickly adopted in its target market.

How AS9100 Works:

AS9100 consulting services work by implementing a standardized set of procedures and documentation. This regulation of business activities allowed for better quality control and maintenance of safety protocols. The improved documentation provides employees with a clearer picture of company expectations. It also allows managers to develop objective metrics to measure productivity and other concerns.

The AS9100 Basic Guideline and Requirements:

There are a basic set of guidelines with the goal of achieving a total quality management system. The key elements are standardized procedures for all core processes and the full documentation of these procedures. In total, this ensures that everyone in the company is on the same page and given uniform standards.

This standardization also mitigates many common workplace difficulties. It prevents fragmentation and the development of competing, sometimes conflicting, standards within a business. It inhibits employees’ complaints about unclear expectations. It also refocuses misdirected management energy, such as micromanaging, on company goals. This provides a healthier environment on all levels in a company.

The next layer of requirements includes accurate stock counts, business correspondence records, financial recording, monitoring programs, scheduled audits, and production oversight. These collectively serve to ensure a complete set of data and sufficient oversight to identify and rectify any problems. The data provided by this layer is an invaluable tool to aid business decisions and improve the company.

Regularly scheduled reviews of each process and the overall quality management system are essential. Progressive improvement of the company, its products, its work environment, and its internal standards are fundamental goals to implement an AS9100 based system. Processes and plans may not always work as intended and markets can change drastically. It is vital to remain flexible to adapt to unforeseen process flaws and economic shifts.