Exploiting AS9100:2016 changes

According to TEC Transnational's Dr David Scrimshire, the latest revisions to the AS9100:2016 standard means it's now time for companies to get their ducks in a row.   The latest revisions to the AS9100:2016 series of standards will be published in April – and some will be worried what to do. Usually the simple answer is “as little as possible so we can retain our certificate!” This overlooks the fact that the new structure of the aerospace/defence standards has radically changed, offering not a threat but an opportunity for breakthrough improvements in the effectiveness of the quality management system while drastically reducing the volume of unnecessary procedures. These latest revisions draw partly on ISO 9001:2015, with its new high level structure. Previous management system standards (MSS) have differed in structure, terminology and requirements, and this has led to confusion and difficulties in implementation.  Adopting a generic management system with a common high level structure will introduce identical core text, common terminology and core definitions for use in all MSS, leading to enhanced compatibility across standards. In future, systems will reflect the uniqueness of organisations who can define their own business context, operation processes, policy and objectives required to meet the requirements of all identified interested parties – including or course their owners and shareholders! Integration into the organisation's business processes is mandatory, and organisations can now demonstrate conformity with quality, environmental and other standards in a single integrated management system. By adopting the P-D-C-A cycle and risk-based thinking, the emphasis is now on getting things right first time, on time and at cost. Customer focus is central, and organisations must implement ‘active management' of customer satisfaction with respect to OTIF (on-time in-full) and RFT (right-first-time) performance. When not achieved, action will have to be taken. The need to formally plan the introduction of new products and services will be paramount, and the soon-to-be-published AS9145 standard will impose the same stringent advanced product quality planning as has been used by the automotive sector for decades. It is also expected that the Primes and tier one organisations will impose other standards on their supply chains including AS13000 (Problem Solving), AS13003 (Measurement Systems Analysis) and AS9103 (Capability Studies & Practical SPC). Although nonconformity and corrective action remain; sustained, measured and monitored continual improvement is the overriding theme. The drivers for improvement initiatives will come from the results of analysis and evaluation, the outputs from management review, and other improvement plans.  For organisations involved with the SC21 campaign the continual sustainable improvement plan (CSIP) provides a major input with a focus on lifting delivery and quality performance to meet the silver and bronze targets. Implementation offers a tremendous opportunity for continual, sustainable improvement – and nothing is rocket science! TEC offers a one-stop shop empowerment training and implementation support programme to address all of these requirements and ensure that suppliers are capable of operating the additional techniques required. The goal is to achieve more at lower overall cost to ensure satisfied customers and guarantee more business with less hassle. The one-stop shop solution commences with a review of an organisation's operations, existing systems and staff competencies. We've done this as we realise that one size will not fit all and that different organisations will want training and support in different areas so we conduct the initial review.  The resulting customised programme coordinates consulting, system re-design and documentation, empowerment training and implementation support. The goal being successful AS9100:2016 certification in the shortest, practicable time and a modern, visual and effective IMS that will meet customer requirements now and into the future and deliver industry-leading levels of performance. If this sounds daunting, it doesn't have to be. Just analyse the new standards, think through what you want to achieve, take expert advice if you need to and do it. Easy! www.tectransnational.com