AS9101D - A New Focus on Customer Satisfaction
The International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) has revolutionized quality management system assessments with the release of AS9101D, the auditing standard for AS9100C, AS9110A, and AS9120A. The theme for AS9101D is “Conformity joins performance and effectiveness, resulting in a satisfied customer.”
The intent with AS9101D is to strengthen the current ISO-based auditing process. AS9101D represents an evolution from “clause based” auditing to a “process-based” approach to quality management system (QMS) assessments. In releasing AS9101D, the IAQG stated, “Organizations will notice a significant change in how future audits are conducted, including the reporting of process effectiveness and audit conclusions. These changes will lead to a determination of an organization’s ultimate measure of QMS effectiveness — customer satisfaction".
Featured Course:
This 3-day course will help organizations understand the new AS9100 auditing process and be fully prepared to pass a certification body audit. It is designed for AS9100 management representatives, quality managers, auditors, operations managers, and professionals leading corporate AS9100 compliance activities.
In addition, we are have integrated the new auditing process concepts, requirements, and tools into our other AS9100 courses Auditor/Lead Auditor Training for AS9100, Internal Auditor Training for AS9100, Transitioning to AS9100C, and CAPA Programs for Aerospace Quality Management Systems.
Frequently Asked Questions About AS9101D
Q: Why is AS9101D considered so different?
A: AS9101D revolutionizes QMS assessments to focus not only on conformity but also on customer feedback and satisfaction.
Q: Exactly how does AS9101D affect QMS assessments?
A: AS9101D affects QMS assessments in the following ways:
- It moves audits beyond simply evaluating conformity to the AS91XX requirements, to also evaluate the effectiveness of the QMS.
- It provides a better approach for auditing process-based management systems.
- It uses actual organization operational performance, customer satisfaction, and product quality as the main drivers and input for the audit.
- It puts greater emphasis on measuring performance.
- It uses customer feedback concerning QMS performance (e.g., Online Aerospace Supplier Information System, customer satisfaction/performance scores, product quality, on time delivery results).
Q: How does AS9101D standardize QMS auditing?
A: AS910D establishes one audit process for AS9100, AS9110, and AS9120, as well as:
- Defining the audit process phases with audit planning, execution, analysis, and reporting, to provide for coverage of all phases of the process (Preaudit, Stage 1, Stage 2, Surveillance, and Recertification).
- Eliminating “key requirements” and “scoring”.
Q: Are there particular areas that AS9101D emphasizes?
A: AS9101D recommends that the audit methodology include these areas:
- Customer focus
- Organizational leadership
- Process management
- QMS performance and effectiveness
- Process performance and effectiveness
- Continual improvement
Q: Are there any changes in the way in which audit results are to be reported?
A: One of the goals for AS9101D is to ensure that audit results be reported “in a uniform, transparent, and standardized way”. It standardizes methods and forms for reporting and introduces the following forms:
- Process Effectiveness Assessment Report
- Nonconformity Report (which also includes the request for corrective action)
- Objective Evidence Record (which provides the medium to records audit evidence)
- QMS Process Matrix Report
- Standardized set of AS9101D final audit reports for Stage 1, Stage 2, surveillance, Recertification and Special audits
The other goals for AS9101D are to improve reporting audit reports in the following ways:
- Reduce variation and encourage more consistent interpretation of audit results.
- Make results easier to understand for all stakeholders, including customers and assessors.
- Enable more effective and efficient surveillance of suppliers.
- Help the audited organization better focus its improvement efforts.
Oriel STAT A MATRIX applauds the approach to QMS assessment adopted by the IAQG. We are in full agreement that AS9101D should improve the value of audits of QMS systems, thus strengthening the value and credibility of the standard.
Oriel STAT A MATRIX offers a broad range of aerospace training courses, all updated to incorporate the AS9100C revisions. We also can provide directed consulting services to ensure that your organization has the necessary tools to obtain registration when audited against the new standard.
Learn more about AS9100