Re: Implementing an AS9100 Quality System
Coury, you're right but the question, I think, is to what extent are written procedures required. If they are currently supplying 'product', there are existing procedures and systems. sasiengineer says there are no procedures. He probably means no written procedures. But I ask myself, and sasiengineer, are there any written procedures? Or are you just saying no procedures required by AS9100 exist? How do employees perform their jobs now? How do they deal with things like customer complaints? How are contracts bid on? How are job (and contract) requirements determined? How are they communicated to to the appropriate employees?
And remember, a company which essentially only does design is a very different animal than a production environment.
If I went there as a 'consultant', the first thing I would do is what most of us refer to as a Gap Analysis. We all also know a Gap Analysis is nothing more than determining what exists and comparing it to what 'has' to exist as proscribed by not only AS9100 (in this case, or ISO 9001 or whatever), there are also a number of other standards which apply, especially in structural design be it aerospace or commercial building or similar.
Folks, this is a tough one that is frustrating a lot of people. I understand that. I also remember when I came into 'quality' - Well, into business at all. My background was biology and chemistry. I was totally lost in the business world. sasiengineer has, it appears, a lot of learning to do. While we can help sasiengineer, sasiengineer has to take it upon him/her self to step back a bit and do some studying on the basics. It does take time.
