AS 9100 implementation guide

ITVC Global outlines the following practical steps to help your organisation plan and implement AS 9100.

1. Understand the AS 9100 requirements

• Start by understanding the requirements and principles of AS 9100 so that you can identify the key controls and review your existing processes.
• Perform a gap analysis comparing the standard with actual company practices. Use the findings to build an implementation plan specifying what must change, which process is involved, who is responsible, the required resources, and start and completion dates.

2. Define the scope of the QMS

• Clearly define the products, services, locations, functions and activities covered by the QMS and the processes needed to manage them.
• Apply all requirements that are applicable within the defined scope. Any determination of non-applicability needs documented justification and must not impair the organisation's ability or responsibility to provide conforming products and services and enhance customer satisfaction. Do not exclude a requirement simply because it is difficult to implement.
• When defining the scope and QMS boundaries, consider the activities, sites, products and services, justified non-applicability, customer-specific requirements, remote support functions and outsourced processes.
• Maintain the QMS scope as available documented information.

3. Develop and improve the QMS

Develop a QMS suited to AS 9100 and the organisation's operations. Establish, implement and improve the necessary processes, documentation and records.

Use the process approach: model the QMS as interacting processes, analyse each process, establish the information needed to operate it, and monitor and improve its performance against quality objectives.

4. Build competence and awareness

Train employees on AS 9100 and the requirements relevant to their work. Strengthen awareness of their contribution to process performance, product quality and quality objectives.

Training topics and methods should be selected to match identified competence needs, for example:

• Applicable AS 9100 requirements.
• On-the-job training (OJT) in process operation and appropriate quality tools, selected according to product risks and customer requirements.
• One-point lessons (OPL) on new products, 4M changes or engineering change orders (ECO), customer-specific requirements, defects, complaints, improvement projects, and the effect of operational errors on quality and customer satisfaction.
• Internal auditing skills.

5. Set and monitor quality performance measures

Establish quality performance indicators and monitor them regularly to evaluate the effectiveness of the QMS.

Translate company quality objectives into relevant process and departmental KPIs. Review and report results; where targets are missed, analyse the situation and take appropriate action to improve performance.

6. Identify and address nonconformities

Identify and address QMS nonconformities to restore conformity and continually improve process and product performance.

Sources of findings include operational checks, internal audits, customer audits, certification audits and feedback from relevant interested parties.

Top management should review QMS effectiveness at planned intervals and decide on improvements, resources and changes. The plan–do–check–act (PDCA) cycle provides a framework for continual improvement.

AS 9100 implementation requires commitment across all functions. Applying its requirements effectively helps organisations build reliable operations and provide conforming products and services for the aviation, space and defence industry.